OCTOBER 22

1 Kings 17:10-24

                    SON OF THE WIDOW OF ZAREPHATH

God directed the old prophet, Elijah to go to a place called Zarephath during the years of drought (no rain) and famine (no food). When Elijah met the widow, she was gathering sticks to cook the last meal for herself and her son. She just had a handful of our and a little oil left. Elijah asked her for some water and to make the bread for him first, then cook for herself and her son. That was a test of faith, for it would have been natural for the poor widow to first provide for heself and her son. But she did so, and the Lord rewarded her faith by providing for them (1 Kings 17:14-15). That was a wonderful miracle! You and I won’t be able to fully understand what that means as Singapore is blessed with so much choice for food and drinks. But a drought and a subsequent famine meant there was no water for a long time, and because of that, even reserves of food were used up and thus, people starved. While that was a great miracle, an even greater one was coming.

One day the widow’s little son became ill and died. Elijah took the dead boy and laid him on his (Elijah’s) bed. Elijah prayed then stretched himself three times upon the body. And the soul of the child returned to him, for the widow’s son became alive again! How happy the widow must have been! Remember – she was a widow and her husband was no longer able to provide for and protect her. All her hopes were pinned on the boy and if he were to die, it’d be such a tragedy for her!

Dear child, we experience the first miracle everyday and will one day in the future, experience the second miracle. Everyday, God provides food for us. Although sometimes man thinks it is his own power and wealth that brings food to the table, we must remember it is God’s goodness that enables the earth to continue rotating, the sun to shine, crops to grow.... All these are under God’s complete control and that is why we must be thankful when we have food. That is why we give thanks, or say “grace” before eating.

How about the second miracle? Like the boy, we would die physically but for Christians, we’d find ourselves in heaven once we die! This second miracle would be greater as we’d be able to spend eternity in heaven with God and other believers!

Thought: When I die, will I go to Heaven?
Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me be sure I have believed in You and will one day be with You in Heaven. Thank You for the provision You have given me but above all, thank You for eternal life as the price of sin was paid by the death of Your beloved Son – Jesus Christ – in whose name we pray, Amen.