From The Deacon’s Desk November 7, 2021
Dear Friends:
In our reading from1st Kings 17:10 -16, we hear the story of Elijah and the widowed woman. God told Elijah to go to Zarephath and find a widow to care for him. Elijah is in exile because he spoke without hesitation about the policies and practices of King Ahab and his wife Jezebel. King Ahab and his wife would like nothing better than to see Elijah dead.
Elijah comes across the woman as he enters the area and tells her to bring him a cup of water and a bit of bread. The woman responds that she has nothing baked and has only a little bit of flour and a little oil in the jug. She was just about to prepare something for her and her son to eat and then they will die. Elijah tells the woman not to be afraid but to go ahead and make the meal for her and her son, however, to first make him a little cake. The woman does exactly as Elijah requests. After it was all over she had enough flour and oil for her and her son to eat for a whole year.
What a beautiful story of faith in God. I think sometimes what stands between our faith and trust in God is that we want God to answer the way we want him to rather than accept what he wants to give us. This is not an easy task. It’s difficult to put faith in something we cannot see or touch. What it takes is constantly asking God to show us how to believe in him fully and without fear. This is lifelong work! What better time to start than today. What better time to put our faith in God and ask him to help us develop it.
Peace and All Good!
Deacon Jim