Faith, Fear and Flour Part II

Missed Part 1? Read it here.

While we can learn many lessons from the story of Elijah and the widow of Zarephath, I want to highlight two of the most important truths.

1. The promise does the heavy lifting—we just need to cooperate.

Even though the woman was not sure that Elijah spoke the truth when he instructed her to make him something to eat first, she still acted on the promise of God—and her action made her a partaker of that promise.

She perhaps thought that she would give Elijah her meal and still be able to give her son his portion. After all, what did she have to lose? She was going to die anyway. One more missed meal would make no difference.

Even though her step of action was more doubt-filled than faith-filled, it was a step of obedience—and that made it a step of faith!

Dear friend, even when your emotions are tempest-tossed and you do not feel faith-filled, ensure that you act on the promises of God. Take whatever step of obedience that you can take—even if you take it with wobbling knees and trembling hands.

Let the promises do the work. You just cooperate as best you can.

2. Even amid faithlessness, a man or woman of faith can move mountains.

This widow was a tough nut to crack.

Despite the indisputable miracle of the never-ceasing flour and oil, she continued to doubt. If we read the rest of 1 Kings 17, we find that while Elijah was staying with her, her son died. God used Elijah to raise the boy back to life. It is only after this miracle that the woman capitulated, confessing to Elijah: “Now by this I know that you are a man of God, and that the word of the Lord in your mouth is the truth” (1 Kings 17:24, NKJV).

In other words, the miracle of provision had not impressed her. She had stayed cynical, uncertain, suspicious. The healing of her son became her redemption. She finally believed in God, His power and His prophet.

Dear friend, perhaps you are surrounded by doubters. Maybe some confess they believe in God, but their faith is fickle. Perhaps many do not believe in God at all. Do not be discouraged. Your faith in the promises of God can move mountains in your life and in theirs.

The faith of Elijah saved not only his own life but the lives of the widow and her son—regardless of their lack of faith.

Stand strong and believe.

Maybe you are the only believer in your family, workplace, school or university.

Believe. Believe. Believe. Keep on believing.

You are an Elijah surrounded by doubting widows. Your faith will save you and your faith will save them too—just keep on believing!

Stay rooted in the promises of God, even if you are the only one standing.

Your unwavering trust might be the very thing God uses to make the impossible possible and bring others to belief.

In summary

The story of Elijah and the widow of Zarephath offers us profound lessons.

It teaches us that faith does not need to be fearless to be effective. Obedience in weakness is still obedience. An action step is a faith step. The promise carries the power—we must just cooperate with it!

This story also reveals the ripple effects of courageous faith. The faith of one impacted many. Will you be an Elijah in your sphere of influence? Your faith can unlock miracles for everyone—and reveal God to them. Believe boldly. Obey bravely.

God will do the rest.