Elijah said to her, “Don’t be afraid. Go home and do as you have said. But first make a small cake of bread for me from what you have and bring it to me, and then make something for yourself and your son. I kings 17:13 NIV
For this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the LORD gives rain on the land.’” verse 14.
“Easy for you to say,” thought the woman, “You’ll say whatever you can to get the first, and probably only, cake.” Cynicism written all over her face, she looked again at the man. His eyes never wavered, focusing ever deeper until she felt they would pierce her very soul.
“Give”, she heard the now familiar voice say again. She whirled around and seeing no one, turned back to the man and with a slight tilt of her head, beckoned him to follow her.
Inside the small hut, man and son watched as she poured the last of the oil, the last of the meal into a small bowl. Mixing it with her fingers, she made a simple dough and placed it on a hot rock close to the small fire she had built. All three watched as the dough slowly baked. The smell caused hunger pangs to surface. Her stomach complained loudly and her embarrassed laugh startled them, breaking the silence.
Finally, she loosened the cake from the rock and handed it to the man. Mother and son watched as he looked to heaven with thanks and as he slowly ate their last meal. Finally swallowing the last bite, he gestured for her to look into the clay jar she had just emptied of meal. She hesitated, her brow furrowing with stress. Finally she reached a hand into the jar, feeling for the bottom.
Shock and wonder filled her eyes as pulled her hand out- filled with meal!
let this very short video clip wash over you and speak to you.
God wants you, and me, to give. Give when it doesn’t make sense. Give when it doesn’t seem fair. Give when it is our last. God grows us the most when we give like Him.
Father, give me the faith to give when You speak. Help me to trust You to care for me. Grow me to be more like You.