6/20

1 Kings 17:14-15

¹⁴For this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: 'The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the LORD gives rain on the land.'" ¹⁵She went away and did as Elijah had told her. So there was food every day for Elijah and for the woman and her family.

Once the Kerith Ravine dried up, the Lord sent Elijah to the home of a Gentile woman. If you thought ravens were stingy, try humans. But a few verses earlier the LORD said He had commanded her to feed Elijah. Elijah gave her a real test of faith by asking her to feed him first and then cook her and her son a meal from the little left in her jar. If the LORD had not commanded her to do this, I doubt she would have even considered it. Even though there was a promise that a miracle would happen, consider that this woman is not Jewish. The prophet before her had been camping out in a ravine for months. Who would give their last meal to him instead of feeding their own child? But just as the LORD commanded the ravens, so He commanded her.

When she obeyed, she found the promise was true. Imagine the surprise she must have experienced each time she reached in to scrape the bottom of the jars. Just enough for another meal, again, and again, and again!

We have the same experience when we abide in Christ. We think we have scraped the bottom of the mercy and grace jar with a certain brother or sister. We reach into the life of Christ within us and to our surprise there is just enough for the present situation. Then another situation comes along. The last time we knew we scraped the bottom and had just enough. Here this brother or sister is offending us again. How can we possibly find the mercy to forgive him? But we reach into the earthen vessel that holds the treasure and what do you know! It is just enough to meet the present circumstance.

Consider: If you will give love and mercy and grace to those around you first, there will always be enough for you when you have a need. Even when you think you have run out, reach down in there again and you will find it in Christ, the One who lives within you.