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Elijah's Widow
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This is a devotion I wrote back in 2013, but it resonates with our themes this month and deserves a second look. Enjoy! Elijah's Widow by Phil Earlier this year we sang for a small church not far from our home. Before the service, the Pastor met with us in his office to pray for the morning. He shared something that really struck a chord with me and has stuck in my mind ever since. He mentioned how we had been on television and sang for large churches over the years. Almost apologetically he added that although his congregation was small, several were struggling with big issues. He then reminded us of the story of Elijah and the widow of Zarephath. Between Elijah's initial confrontation with King Ahab (where Elijah prophesied a drought on the land) and the ultimate showdown with the Prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel, an interesting interlude occurs with a widow and her son. If you remember the story, when the drought came, God set Elijah up by the Kerith brook and sent ravens to bring him food - sort of Old Testament room service. When the brook dried up God sent him to the land of Sidon, this time with a widow as caretaker. (There were rumors this was because of a strike by the raven hospitality workers union, but I wasn't able to verify this.) Elijah was a big cheese in the Biblical prophets world. He'd stood face-to-face with royalty and would soon play a key part in one of the biggest bad-guy-heinie-kickings of all history. But this time Elijah's ministry was to a poor widow. She had no money, no prestige, no connections, and barely enough food for a last meal for her and her son. In the world's eyes she was a nobody, but in God's eyes she was worth sending his top servant to the rescue. In the process God worked not only the miracle of supplying food when it should have been long gone, He even brought her son back from the dead. Cool stuff! You know my favorite part of the story? Nowhere does it indicate Elijah was upset or frustrated about interrupting his "big" work for God to do a seemingly insignificant task. Elijah was faithful, period. God said "Do it," and he did it. No grumbling, no complaining, no "oh, look at me, the humble martyr." Just simple obedience. The work God has for you right now may seem less than glamorous. Just as the pastor told us that Sunday morning, this is your "Elijah's widow" moment! You may never know the miracles God has in store, just waiting for a faithful person to do his work. Even if you've never been in a ministry "spotlight," the job and people God calls you to serve are front and center in His attention. And He has chosen his top servant - you! Enough of this talk, we've all got important work ahead. Click Here to Check our Concert Schedule! Check us out on Facebook! - http://www.facebook.com/PhilandPamMorgan |
Phil & Pam Morgan
We're authors and musicians who loves to talk about faith & spirituality, arts & crafts, and music. Subscribe and join over 2,000+ newsletter readers every week!
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