Lessons From The Story Of Elijah And The Widow
The story of Elijah and the widow is one of the most inspiring and thought-provoking stories in the Bible. It is a story of faith, obedience, and God's provision in times of great need. In this article, we will explore the lessons we can learn from this story and how we can apply them in our lives today.
The Story of Elijah and the Widow
The story of Elijah and the widow is found in 1 Kings 17:7-24. At the time, Israel was ruled by King Ahab, who was evil in the sight of God. Elijah, a prophet of God, had prophesied that there would be a severe drought in the land because of the wickedness of the king and the people.
During this drought, God sent Elijah to a widow in Zarephath, a town in Sidon. When he arrived, he saw the widow gathering sticks and asked her for some water and bread. The widow replied that she had only a handful of flour and a little oil left, and that she was going to use them to prepare one last meal for herself and her son before they died of hunger.
Elijah told the widow to make him a small cake of bread first, and then to make one for herself and her son. He promised her that the flour and oil would not run out until the day the Lord sends rain on the land. The widow obeyed Elijah's instructions, and God miraculously provided for her and her son until the drought ended.
Lesson 1: God Provides for those who Trust in Him
The first lesson we can learn from the story of Elijah and the widow is that God provides for those who trust in Him. The widow was in a desperate situation and had no one to turn to for help. But Elijah told her to trust in God, and He provided for her and her son in a miraculous way.
Similarly, when we are facing difficult times, we should not lose hope or give up. Instead, we should trust in God and believe that He will provide for us. This does not mean that we should sit back and do nothing, but rather, we should take action and do what we can, while trusting in God to do what we cannot.
Lesson 2: Obedience Leads to Blessing
The second lesson we can learn from the story of Elijah and the widow is that obedience leads to blessing. The widow could have refused to give Elijah some of her food, but she chose to obey him and trust in God. As a result, she and her son were blessed with food and provision during the drought.
Similarly, when we choose to obey God's commands and follow His will for our lives, we will be blessed. This does not mean that we will never face challenges or difficulties, but it means that God will be with us and provide for us through those challenges.
Lesson 3: God Uses Ordinary People to Accomplish Extraordinary Things
The third lesson we can learn from the story of Elijah and the widow is that God uses ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary things. The widow was not a wealthy or powerful person, but God used her to provide for Elijah during the drought.
Similarly, God can use each one of us to do great things for Him. We may not be famous or influential, but we can make a difference in the lives of those around us by obeying God and following His will.
Conclusion
The story of Elijah and the widow teaches us valuable lessons about faith, obedience, and God's provision. We learn that God provides for those who trust in Him, that obedience leads to blessing, and that God uses ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary things.
May we be encouraged to trust in God and obey His commands, knowing that He will be with us and provide for us through all of life's challenges.