Nearly Empty

“So she proceeded to do according to the word of Elijah. Then the woman, Elijah, and her household ate for many days. The flour jar did not become empty, and the oil jug did not run dry, according to the word of the Lord He had spoken through Elijah” (1 Kings 17:15-16)

Most of us would agree that we want to be people of great faith. We want to be like Elijah and become strong, faithful prophets who live through desert lands and have bulletproof faith, but we often find ourselves more skeptical than faithful.

God tells Elijah to go to the land of Zarephath where an old widow will provide for him, but when Elijah arrives in the city, the widow has hardly anything left. She tells Elijah that she has just a handful of flour in a jar and a bit of oil in the jug, just enough for her and her son to eat, and then they will die.

Imagine if God promised you that someone would take care of you, but then you found out that this person has hardly any provisions. They have nothing, not even enough for themselves, yet God told you that they would provide for you.

This widow is probably not a believer in Elijah’s God. She lives in Zarephath, where Ahab and Jezebel rule—the king and queen who hate God. Therefore, this widow probably worships Baal, yet she decides to serve a prophet who asks her for a drink, and she proceeds to tell him that she has nothing left. She’s so poor that she knows exactly how much she has left—enough for one last meal with her son.

Have you ever been so distraught in your season that you knew exactly what you have left? You’re so broke that you know the exact amount in your bank account. You’re so in need of a blessing that you’re counting down your last provisions.

This widow knew that she had only enough flour and oil for one more meal, but Elijah tells her not to fear because the jar won’t become empty, and the jug won’t run dry until the day the Lord sends rain on the surface of the land.

The Word then tells us that the woman, Elijah, and her household ate for many days. The moment we trust that God will come through for us, He won’t let us down. When we put His name on the line, He’ll do what He promised.

Big faith is not just for the preachers and the prophets. It’s for us all. If we want to see God do great things in us, we must have great faith in Him.