What a roller coaster was Elijah on! He proved to all that Jehovah God is the real God by praying and fire consuming a sacrifice including the water that was doused upon it. He then killed the many false priests of Queen Jezebel which caused her wrath to turn on him. He fell into a state of depression as he escaped for his life. God intervened and provided food for him brought by ravens. Then when the brook dried out from where he had been getting water, God told him to go to the house of a widow. She planned to cook her last meal for herself and her son and then die. God used Elijah to cause another miracle by providing enough meal in the barrel for them all to eat for many days. Suddenly the son of the widow died, but Elijah prayed so that the boy was brought back to life. The emotional cycling of Elijah must have been fantastic. Even so, as we outline the words of our text, there is more to discover for the woman.
God called Elijah to this woman’s home saying that he commanded her to sustain him. There is no mention in the text of God speaking to the woman. Likewise, there is no mention in the text of the woman being aware that God had a command placed upon her. Even as she prayed for God’s intervention in her terrible situation, there was no direct response from heaven that she could acknowledge.
As far as God was concerned, he had a command on this woman. As far as the woman was concerned, she knew of no such command! This is so much like us as we pray. No matter how desperate the situation is, no matter how hard we pray, it may seem that God is not listening. The miracle she experienced by having food available for herself, her son, and Elijah was remarkable to her. She gladly accepted the miracle announcement delivered by Elijah. She had no idea how she was playing into the greater scheme of things for God. Whether we find ourselves in a desperate situation or whether we are making a casual request of God, it may not seem that we receive a direct answer from heaven. Our answer is that of an unexpected provision. As you pray, realize that God may be involving a stranger to come into your life as part of his response. It could be the response is something totally out of the ordinary should it not be another person , but it is still from God.
The first significance of this conversation is God had plans for this woman while she had no idea what would occur. She fit into the grander scheme of things far beyond her immediate need. We may unconsciously be fitting into a divine greater scheme. God may want to use you right now for something beyond your understanding. He may plan some type of ministry for you to provide that would not be in your own scheme of life. Wait on God and be faithful to him. There may come a time in your life in which you play a vital part in a divine situation without ever realizing it. The woman did not search for how she could be part of a miracle. She simply responded in the only way she knew how. You may never know the plan for the way God used you to touch someone else’s life until you get to eternity. Some simple things that you do on earth could have quite significance to God and someone else.
Then suddenly the woman found herself in another desperate situation. She became comfortable with how she thought God was supporting her. She congratulated herself for how she answered the call through Elijah for food to be prepared so that he might have sustenance. Without warning, her son had a brief illness and died. She turned on Elijah by accusing him of being instrumental in punishing her for past sins. When she thought it was possible to relax during the famine, she had a greater need appear by the death of her son. While you are being used by God for that divine greater scheme, there may be an occasion in which a terrible event occurs. Serving God is never an easy road. Being faithful to him, times may become more difficult than you expect. Take no thought for how circumstances can distract you, especially when you think you are doing God’s bidding. Stay faithful, stay true, allow God to turn something else that is bad for you initially into what will ultimately be even better for you. Part of the last words that she said in this brief recollection was, “now I know.” As you serve the Lord, allow him to confirm his concern for you and whatever blessings he has in store for your life.
It’s not always a stay on top of the mountain. You will not always be in a state of permanent blessing. Also, God will not allow you to continue forever in that valley with all its trials. Since he is in charge, since you are faithfully following him, he is the master of your fate. What a blessing it is for all of us, for any of us, to be used by God. He does not tell us his plan. He works it out in our life. He puts people and circumstances on the road we travel expectantly and purposely. Trust him in whatever situation you are experiencing now. His love for you is beyond all circumstances, beyond all difficulties. Pray. And then continue praying. There is no quota on how much we should pray or how long we should pray. The only quota is what depends on us for how faithful we will be.
Christian Writer 