Risk Taking Mission and Service!

There is a story in 1st Kings chapter 17, about a widow of Zarephath. This woman is caught up in a terrible season of famine that struck the country. According to this story, she had enough flour and oil to make just one more meal for both her son and her and thereafter they would die of starvation. That is how bleak the situation was that she faced. But as if that is not enough there is a knock at her door and on opening it, she meets the prophet, Elijah. His request is that she please bake a cake for him before she does anything for herself. This woman knowing that what she had was almost finished, still entertains the prophet of God, and gives in to his request. Her faith in God sees her and her son through the entire time of famine as the flour never ran out nor did the oil in its barrel.

1 Kings 17:12 “As surely as the LORD your God lives,’ she replied, ‘I don’t have any bread – only a handful of flour in a jar and a little olive oil in a jug. I am gathering a few sticks to take home and make a meal for myself and my son, that we may eat it – and die.’”

The widow of Zarephath plays a small but important role in the story of Elijah. She feeds Elijah in her home. But soon after the famine, her son dies anyway. The widow brings her son to the prophet and gives him to Elijah. Elijah goes before God and the boy is brought back to life. The fact that the widow and her son made it through the famine was just a small part of this story. The fact that her son was resurrected from the dead speaks volumes about the blessings of God that make rich and bring no sorrow with it. The blessings of the Lord have a snowball effect on those who risk everything and put their faith and trust in the Lord even when it goes against logic and human understanding. When God blesses, there is no need – He blesses completely!

Listening to the voice of God especially in a situation of death and life is remarkable. How many of us would choose to listen to God and do what He says above what we see and know we are required to do in life? 1st Kings 17:8-9 “Then the word of the LORD came to him [Elijah]: ‘Go at once to Zarephath in the region of Sidon and stay there. I have directed a widow there to supply you with food.’” God had already spoken to the woman and prepared her to provide for His prophet. But it is in obeying the voice of God and taking care of God’s prophet that this widow sees the fullness of the Lord enter her home. She was blessed even after the famine had ended. Her son had died and God used His servant to raise the young boy from the dead. The enemy had the audacity to still attack this woman after God had blessed her, but because she stayed true to God, He gave her the desire of her heart!

Faith speaks of risk, putting things on the line, living fearlessly because you know that the Lord your God is with you. How do you know that? That is His promise to every believer. “I will never leave you, neither will I forsake you.” [Hebrews 13:5]. We face an enormous mountain of unbelief in these days because people would rather live by sight instead of living by faith. What we don’t see has no bearing on what we do and how we live. And because this principle of life basically dictates the way we live, since we don’t see God, we unconsciously don’t bother about Him as well! Allow me to caution you today and exhort you that God is more real than you think. His Word is being played out all over the world as we see irregular weather patterns, hurricanes, floods, disasters, and the likes. Make right with God so that you can look up because your redemption draws near!

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May God continue to bless, keep, provide and protect you in everything you do