“So, she went away and did according to the word of Elijah; and she and her household ate for many days. The bin of flour was not used up, nor did the jar of oil run dry, according to the word of the Lord which he spoke by Elijah”
This woman was in a place of emptiness. She had been brought low by her circumstances. She had little hope left and fear had taken up root in her heart. Yet, God the God of the Israelites, saw and knew this poor widow’s need. We know she has nothing. She has nothing emotionally, she has lost her husband, she is at the end of her resources. God sends her Elijah in his need to meet her need. His strength is in the fact that he has the mind of God. He shares God’s word with the widow, thereby offering her hope and enabling her to place her faith in God, digging out the roots of fear and hopelessness. God helped her to look beyond her own need, and to place her trust in the God of Israel. The spark of faith was ignited, and she was able to give sacrificially. Her act of obedience opened the window of heaven as God rewarded that faith by his provision.
Empty, feeling hopeless and full of fear is the condition of many women today. They are holding on in the last bit of strength that they have. They don’t know where to turn. God sends his people to come alongside. Sometimes, as in this case, the person who needs help may be beyond our borders, beyond our comfort zone. God’s love is beyond the Israelites. He knows the hearts that are open to him wherever they are. His heart knows the struggle of all mankind. God is calling women with hearts of love to open their hearts, to ignite the spark of faith so that God can come and do his work of meeting the needs of all he loves.
