She pushed on, further and further, gathering a few twigs here and there that had been missed by others. Suddenly, a long shadow crossed her path. Startled, she looked up and involuntarily gasped. Skin bronze-baked by the sun, lips cracked and bleeding, the man swayed slightly in the harsh wind that blew his long, unkempt beard. His clothes were dusty and sweatstained.
He leaned toward her. Dark, piercing eyes arrested her attention. His mouth opened and he spoke, his first words sounding like a rusty, long-unused hinge, then growing smoother, deep and rich-
He called to her and asked, “Would you bring me a little water in a jar so I may have a drink?” 1 Kings 17:10 NIV
His voice quickly dissipated in the oppressive heat. She slowly stood, keeping her eyes fixed on him. Her heart began to beat, drumming loudly against her rib cage. “Give”, she heard the voice between heartbeats. She involuntarily looked around her for the source. Looking back at the man, her eyes softened as she recognized his need. She nodded slightly and turned to make her way back to the well at the edge of town.
“And bring me, please, a piece of bread.” verse 11
Incredulously, she turned again to face the man. Surely he wasn’t serious!
“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 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.” verse 12
His gaze never wavered.
Elijah said to her, “Don’t be afraid. Go home and do as you have said. But first make a small loaf of bread for me from what you have and bring it to me, and then make something for yourself and your son. verse 13
Have you ever been asked to give in a way that didn’t make sense? God does not need to make His requests subject to a test of obvious logic in our minds.
Father, give me the faith to give when You say to give and how You say to give.