The situation was dire for Elijah. The Brook Cherith had just dried up due to a lack of rain. The ravens would no longer be bringing food to him, and King Ahab and his wife were still determined to execute him. That’s where you find Mr. Elijah in 1 Kings 17:8-16. In verse 9 God instructs him to go stay with a poor widow. “Arise, get thee to Zarephath, which belongeth to Zidon, and dwell there: behold, I have commanded a widow woman there to sustain thee.” Without doubting or questioning God, Elijah heads for the widow’s home. Upon arrival he immediately asks for something to eat and drink. The widow responded by saying: “As the Lord thy God liveth, I have not a cake, but an handful of meal in a barrel, and a little oil in a cruse: and, behold, I am gathering two sticks, that I may go in and dress it for me and my son, that we may eat it, and die” (1 Kings 17:12).
Most of us would have had some serious doubts at this point. Our thoughts might have been, “Lord, she can’t afford to feed herself or her son, how is she going to feed me?” Elijah had great faith in God, and past experiences taught him that he could totally trust God. The widow’s faith was much less, however, she did as instructed. The result was life sustaining provision for three people. “And she went and did according to the saying of Elijah: and she, and he, and her house, did eat many days. And the barrel of meal wasted not, neither did the cruse of oil fail, according to the word of the Lord, which he spake by Elijah” (1 Kings 17:15-16).
Every miracle, large or small, begins with a simple step of faith. The widow took that step not knowing where it would go nor what the outcome would be. The simple act of providing a meal for Elijah turned out to be miracle for her son, for Elijah, and for herself. The circumstances that Elijah and the widow faced in 1 Kings 17 was one of deep desperation. That desperation quickly turned to dependence (on God) as they took a step of faith! Our country’s motto of “In God We Trust” must be lived out in the lives of those of us who truly know Him. Christians must take a step of faith by voting and praying for this upcoming election. Are you trusting God with whatever the results may be? Do you really believe God can do anything, even to have His way in this election? No matter how this election turns out, no matter how desperate things may get for us personally, or for our country, we can trust a living, loving, sustaining God!
“I care not today what the tomorrow may bring
If shadow or sunshine or rain
The Lord I know ruleth o’er everything
And all of my worry is vain
Living by faith
In Jesus above
Trusting, confiding
In His great love
From all harm safe
In His sheltering arm
I’m living by faith
And feel no alarm.”