The verses above is about FAITH! Many of us are of the opinion that our faith is tested and shown in "great moments", but our faith is grown in hard times and small things.
Widows of this time were a symbol of poverty and a common one. This widow gathering sticks. Sticks are kindling, not firewood, so whatever she's going to bake/cook, it's not going to take long.
She has no faith, she accepted the fact that she and her son are going to die of starvation. She has given hope, but she's APPOINTED by GOD to KEEP Elijah! This is FAITH in desperate times.
She is not a Jewish, so see how she greets Elijah," As the Lord, your God lives". She recognize the Living God. She has faith but not hope, she has no acces to the living God, but she takes the prophet at his word and share her last meal.
Now see from Elijah side. This meeting is a test for Elijah as well. Elijah must thinking he had the wrong widow. He is tested by her lack of hope. Most of us are influenced by the attitudes around us and Elijah is no exception. But Elijah answer the challenge to his faith. He answered the woman to step out on faith and give of her little. In Luke 6 : 38 - great faith, great gift.
He assures her that God will multiply what she has. All this comesback to trust in God.
If you trust HIM, you must know HIM. You must know HIS infinite supply. HE is the God who created all things and if you are doing HIS work, HE will tax the farthest star in the universe "to maintain" you. You must know HIS constant supply. It is not to your benefit that HE supply you with everything at once, for then you might grow content and forget HIM, but HE will supply your daily bread.
You must know HIS will, for it conditions HIS supply. HIS will is that you should have FAITH. This widow did, and she met God who supplies three times a day. This is HIS love for us.
FAITH is tested in small things!!
We see also the characteristic of God providence :
- Little is rewarded with much. God's nature is to provide, liberal reward for those who trust HIM with
the little they have.
- His providence is always adequate, but it can never be stored up. Like the manna of the ancient Israelites, it is for TODAY ONLY.
- His providence is based upon HIS eternal nature. HE is infinite, HE is unchanging, and HE desires fellowship with us. Therefore there is NO LIMIT to HIS supply, either in AMOUNT or TIME, as long as we keep FAITH with HIM!
She has no faith, she accepted the fact that she and her son are going to die of starvation. She has given hope, but she's APPOINTED by GOD to KEEP Elijah! This is FAITH in desperate times.
She is not a Jewish, so see how she greets Elijah," As the Lord, your God lives". She recognize the Living God. She has faith but not hope, she has no acces to the living God, but she takes the prophet at his word and share her last meal.
Now see from Elijah side. This meeting is a test for Elijah as well. Elijah must thinking he had the wrong widow. He is tested by her lack of hope. Most of us are influenced by the attitudes around us and Elijah is no exception. But Elijah answer the challenge to his faith. He answered the woman to step out on faith and give of her little. In Luke 6 : 38 - great faith, great gift.
He assures her that God will multiply what she has. All this comesback to trust in God.
If you trust HIM, you must know HIM. You must know HIS infinite supply. HE is the God who created all things and if you are doing HIS work, HE will tax the farthest star in the universe "to maintain" you. You must know HIS constant supply. It is not to your benefit that HE supply you with everything at once, for then you might grow content and forget HIM, but HE will supply your daily bread.
You must know HIS will, for it conditions HIS supply. HIS will is that you should have FAITH. This widow did, and she met God who supplies three times a day. This is HIS love for us.
FAITH is tested in small things!!
We see also the characteristic of God providence :
- Little is rewarded with much. God's nature is to provide, liberal reward for those who trust HIM with
the little they have.
- His providence is always adequate, but it can never be stored up. Like the manna of the ancient Israelites, it is for TODAY ONLY.
- His providence is based upon HIS eternal nature. HE is infinite, HE is unchanging, and HE desires fellowship with us. Therefore there is NO LIMIT to HIS supply, either in AMOUNT or TIME, as long as we keep FAITH with HIM!
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