Faith overcomes fear, which is always God’s desire for His children as we journey through life. We often come to a Y on the road of life and must choose between trusting God or letting our fears control us. The Lord told the prophet Elijah to go to Zarephath, where He instructed a widow to feed him during a drought.
In obedience to God, Elijah soon found a widow near the city gates gathering sticks. As he asked her for a drink of water, he also asked her for a bite of bread. 1 Kings 17:12 But she said, “I swear by the Lord your God that I don’t have a single piece of bread in the house. And I have only a handful of flour left in the jar and a little cooking oil in the bottom of the jug. I was just gathering a few sticks to cook this last meal, and then my son and I will die.” [1] From the woman’s point of view, she was desperate. Could she possibly share what she had with Elijah? In a real sense, she was at the Y in the road. It was a test; would she feed Elijah?
Faith or Fear
As the woman thought about her situation, Elijah encouraged her. 1 Kings 17:13 But Elijah said to her, “Don’t be afraid! Go ahead and do just what you’ve said, but make a little bread for me first. Then, use what’s left to prepare a meal for yourself and your son. 14 For this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: There will always be flour and olive oil left in your containers until the time when the Lord sends rain and the crops grow again!” [2]
We are often afraid when God wants us to step forward in faith. “Can you trust God?” These are often the words the enemy speaks into our ears. Hebrews 11:1Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see.[3] Although this woman lived in a Gentile city, she probably believed in the Lord. She knew the name of the Lord, and she recognized Elijah as a man of God. Her faith may have been as small as a mustard seed, but it would begin to grow through this test.
Faith Wins
1 Kings 17:15 So she did as Elijah said, and she and Elijah and her family continued to eat for many days. 16 There was always enough flour and olive oil left in the containers, just as the Lord had promised through Elijah. [4] Believing in God, she gave up the certain for the uncertain and took a step of faith. The miracle of an unending supply of oil and flour was a reward for her faith in the Lord.
Is the Lord calling you to step into deeper water that seems scary and uncertain? God often tests our faith to prepare us for the next season. Isaiah 41:10 Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand. [5]
To learn how faith overcomes fear, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/elijah-and-the-widow
[1-5] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Tyndale House Publishers.