How can we trust God in difficult times, as shown in 1 Kings 17:23? Setting the Scene: Severe Trials in Zarephath - The widow of Zarephath had already endured famine, desperate poverty, and the daily suspense of whether the flour and oil would run out (1 Kings 17:8-16). - Now she faces the unthinkable: her only son dies (v. 17). Every natural hope is gone. - Elijah carries the lifeless boy upstairs, cries out to the Lord, stretches himself over the child three times, and pleads for life to return (vv. 18-21). The Turning Point: 1 Kings 17:23 “Elijah took the child, brought him down from the upper room into the house, and gave him to his mother. Elijah said, ‘Look, your son is alive!’” - A mother’s grief turns to awe. - Elijah’s prayer is answered specifically and visibly. - God’s word spoken earlier through Elijah, “the bowl of flour shall not be exhausted” (v. 14), now expands to “your son is alive.” The same God who sustains daily bread can reverse death itself. What We Learn About Trusting God • God remains sovereign when circumstances scream otherwise. • He hears earnest, faith-filled prayer (cf. Psalm 34:17). • His power is not limited by natural impossibilities (Jeremiah 32:27). • His compassion reaches personal, individual pain; this is not a distant, impersonal rescue. • When God acts, faith is strengthened for the next trial (v. 24). Practical Steps to Trust in Hard Seasons 1. Remember God’s past faithfulness • Keep a mental or written record of answered prayers (1 Samuel 7:12). 2. Cling to His unchanging Word • “The word of our God stands forever” (Isaiah 40:8). 3. Pray honestly and persistently • Philippians 4:6-7—present requests; receive peace. 4. Obey what you already know • The widow had first obeyed Elijah’s command to share her last meal (vv. 13-15). Obedience opened the door to further miracles. 5. Surround yourself with faith-filled voices • Hebrews 10:24-25—encourage one another as the day approaches. 6. Anticipate God’s provision, not just His permission • Romans 8:32—if He gave His Son, He will graciously give us all things needed for His purpose. Scripture Echoes that Reinforce the Lesson - Psalm 46:1 “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” - Isaiah 41:10 “Do not fear, for I am with you… I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” - Matthew 6:26 “Look at the birds of the air… your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?” - Romans 8:28 “We know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him…” Encouraging Takeaways for Today - If God can refill an empty pantry and raise a dead child, He can handle the bills, the diagnosis, the fractured relationship. - Trust grows by rehearsing who He is, not by rehearsing what might go wrong. - Present crises are platforms for future testimony: “Look, your ______ is alive!”—insert the very thing you feared was beyond hope. - The same Lord who met a widow in Zarephath meets you now, ready to demonstrate that His word never fails and His care never ends. |
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