Session 7

Widow of Zarephath

From Eve & Adam: 30-Day Bible Study

The widow that Elijah meets at Zarephath gives us a great example of what our faith in God should look like as His children. This widow, knowing that she only had a little oil and a little flour, took Elijah – and God – at his word and “did as Elijah had told her” (v. 15). She offered what little resources she had freely, knowing that this man of God, thus God Himself, had promised her that she and her son would always have food to eat.

How often are we unwilling to do the same? I know that I have a hard time, knowing what I have and what my own resources can do for me, having faith that God can do infinitely more in my circumstances than I expect. I spend so much time trying to do for myself that I forget to trust God and let Him provide for me. The widow at Zarephath, in never questioning God’s promise through Elijah, in getting up and doing what Elijah had asked her to do, shows much greater faith than we probably do on a regular basis.

The issue at hand here is how willing we are to trust God and obey Him based on His words and commands, because He’s God and He’s sovereign and if we will merely be obedient in what He’s asking us to do, He will take care of the rest.

1. What is God telling you to do that appears to be impossible or, as in the widow’s case, dangerous? What is it that you fear losing, which you feel like you can’t trust God to take care of? Take some time to talk to God about it. Lay out your fears and worries, then go and do what He’s called you to do. He’ll take care of the rest.

2. What areas of your life do you consistently struggle with trusting God in? Do you have a hard time trusting in His provision for your needs, physical, relational, or spiritual? Do you take these matters into your own hands? Make a list and pray over it, asking God to show you His abundant provision in those areas in ways that you could never provide for yourself.