- 1 Kings 17:1
Eliyahu from Tishbe, an inhabitant of Gil‘ad, said to Ach’av, “As Adonai the God of Isra’el lives, before whom I stand, there will be neither rain nor dew in the years ahead unless I say so.” 2 Then the word of Adonai came to him: 3 “Leave here, turn to the east, and hide in Vadi K’rit near the Yarden. 4 You are to drink from the stream, and I have ordered the ravens to feed you there.” 5 So he went and acted according to the word of Adonai — he went and lived in Vadi K’rit near the Yarden. 6 The ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning, and bread and meat in the evening; and he drank from the stream. 7 After a while the stream dried up, because there was no rain in the land.
8 Then this word of Adonai came to him: 9 “Get up; go to Tzarfat, a village in Tzidon; and live there. I have ordered a widow there to provide for you.” 10 So he set out and went to Tzarfat. On reaching the gate of the city, he saw a widow there gathering sticks. He called out to her, “Please bring a little water in a container for me to drink.” 11 As she was going to get it, he called after her, “Please bring me a piece of bread in your hand.” 12 She answered, “As Adonai your God lives, I have nothing baked, only a handful of meal in a pot and a little oil in the jug. Here I am, gathering a couple sticks of wood, so that I can go and cook it for myself and my son. After we have eaten that, we will die.” 13 Eliyahu said to her, “Don’t be afraid. Go; and do what you said; but first, use a little of it to make me a small loaf of bread; and bring it out to me. After that, make food for yourself and your son. 14 For this is what Adonai the God of Isra’el, says: ‘The pot of meal will not get used up, nor will there fail to be oil in the jug, until the day Adonai sends rain down on the land.’” 15 She went and acted according to what Eliyahu had said; and she, he and her household had food to eat for a long time. 16 The pot of meal did not get used up, nor did there fail to be oil in the jug, in fulfillment of the word of Adonai spoken through Eliyahu.
(Complete Jewish Bible).Twenty-three years ago I had the privilege of marching in a top-tier Drum and Bugle Corps that toured the country all summer. In the midst of long days of rehearsals and performances, mealtimes became very important. On those days, when we had been working hard since sunrise and knew we would be on the road to the next city that night, even a peanut butter sandwich and a cup of Gatorade hit the spot. If you’re hungry enough, you tend not to be finicky.
The meals God provided for Elijah, the widow at Zerepath, and her son were not the most appetizing. Existing for months on a diet of bread and water doesn’t sound like a lot of fun . . . until one considers the alternative.
I think sometimes we get so used to living in the land of excess and plenty that we don’t appreciate God’s provision for us. I think we want more and better things so much that we are at times tempted to turn up our nose at what God provides. Today's Scripture calls us to remember: without God’s help, we have nothing. Let’s rely on Him and be thankful, even if it’s a peanut butter sandwich.
Hymn for Today: "I Am Resolved" by Palmer Hartsough.
1. I am resolved no longer to linger,
charmed by the world's delight;
things that are higher, things that are nobler,
these have allured my sight.
Refrain: I will hasten to Him,
hasten so glad and free;
Jesus, greatest, highest,
I will come to Thee.
2. I am resolved to go to the Savior,
leaving my sin and strife;
He is the true one; He is the just one,
He has the words of life.
Refrain: I will hasten to Him,
hasten so glad and free;
Jesus, greatest, highest,
I will come to Thee.
3. I am resolved, and who will go with me?
Come, friends, without delay;
taught by the Bible, led by the Spirit,
we'll walk the heavenly way.
Refrain: I will hasten to Him,
hasten so glad and free;
Jesus, greatest, highest,
I will come to Thee.
Please pray: That the compassionate ministries among the poor and in disaster areas of Asia-Pacific will show people how much God loves them.
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