Five-Day Forecast
September 25, 2019
Yesterday, I had the chance to lead in our worship experience with our After School children.
The children gathered in the sanctuary with our staff. Our very own Peyton Sessoms prayed a beautiful opening prayer. The kids were reminded of the week’s Bible verse from Hebrews 12:1, namely, “Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.” Carol Cloer played the guitar and led us in music that the children enthusiastically sang. Then, I shared a story about the day’s theme: “I can conquer obstacles!”
The Old Testament Bible story that I shared was about Elijah and how God provided for him and a widow that cared for him during the drought. You may recall that Elijah had been sent to King Ahab who was a wicked ruler accused of any number of pagan and idolatrous crimes. Elijah’s first task as a prophet of the one true God of Israel was to get Ahab’s attention by announcing a devastating drought and famine upon the land.
In the midst of the looming crisis, however, God would care for Elijah.
God directed Elijah to find sustenance in the wilderness. Elijah hid himself by a stream where ravens would come and feed him each morning and evening. Even though the land and the people were hurting, God provided for Elijah.
In time, the stream dried up. Even so, God cared for Elijah. The prophet was directed to Zarephath where he was told to ask a widow to provide him food and drink. And while there was water enough to share, the widow reported that she had but enough food to provide for herself and her son for one last meal. And after those supplies ran out? She and her son would die.
God intercedes and provides care for both Elijah, the widow and her son.
The prophet of God tells her: “Do not be afraid.” Elijah instructs the widow to make two meals and to share her food with him. In doing so, she would ensure that her own food would never run out and that she and her son would not go hungry. And all that the prophet said was true.
Once again, God provides for Elijah. And through Elijah, God provides for the widow and her son.
This story has stuck with me since I shared it with the children. I was struck by the number of challenges that present themselves in the narrative. One disaster begets another and the circumstances of the principle character becomes more dire. This move seems to amplify God’s power as the stakes get higher. The point? No matter how hard it gets and no matter how quickly the blows come, God still cares for his people.
And how does God provide care in this story? God works through creation and other people to address the needs that arise. God first directs Elijah to live in a veritable oasis. The birds share their food with him. The river slates his thirst. Then, God provides care through the selfless hospitality of a desperate widow. In sharing her last bit of food with Elijah, she and her son are able to find nourishment themselves. We experience God’s provision when others share. And in turn, when we share we are provided for.
Not surprising, sharing begets sharing. When someone shares with us, we are more likely to share in return. The conclusion of this story teaches us as much. For when Elijah learns that the widow’s son has died, he cannot help but to pray on his behalf, crying out, “O Lord my God, let this child’s life come into him again.” The child is revived. Because of Elijah’s prayer, God provides for the family that had been instrumental in Elijah’s care.
The story raises questions for me. What is it that God has given to me through the generosity of others? To whom, and with what, should I be sharing?
God specializes in crisis intervention. God cares for us through the compassion and generosity of others—even nature itself does God’s handiwork! In response, we are called to do two things: Testify to God’s wonder-working power, and to share with others out of our own abundance (and scarcity) so that they, too, might experience God’s love and care.