God's Better poan

God's Better Plan

I Kings 17:9-10 NKJV

[9] “Arise, go to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and dwell there. See, I have commanded a widow there to provide for you.” [10] So he arose and went to Zarephath. And when he came to the gate of the city, indeed a widow was there gathering sticks. And he called to her and said, “Please bring me a little water in a cup, that I may drink.” 

So God took Elijah out of  Brook Cherith. You would have thought the next place should be an improvement of Cherith. It was, except, that God wanted the man to work. That's how the world  operates. You don't just sit in to be fed by birds every day. That's not  the principle of function . God's blessings are released for us as we serve others also. Keep that in mind. In Zerapath, a widow must have prayed for food. Things were tough. They were at their last drop of flour. She had concluded that after the  meal, they will wait to die. God sent them an answer by a prophet in need. If she sows into the prophet, she has grace to continue having her meals. The decision had to be hers. So the prophet who was not used to asking anyone for help had to ask for one. God can break down our personal idiosyncrasies just to give us an answer. I imagine the final act must have been quite awkward. They both got it right. From water in a cup to bread, and a release of anointing for sustenance, the rest is history. There are no free lunches. You have to sow to get. That's how this world operates. God used one situation to answer two prayers. She could have missed her opportunity because of fear that the flour wont be enough. He could have missed his opportunity of a great accomodation and feeding if he thought she wasnt driving a car. Or perhaps, she was gathering firewood. She couldn't  even afford cooking gas. That thinking may sound misplaced in ancient Israel, but its the way we may reason now. God is sending you an answer. It may not look like it. Just follow the divine promptings. Later when death finally stared her in the face, her seeds spoke restoration. We will talk about it tomorrow. Today just know that God is sending you help. Be careful  because the answer may not look like it. Good morning.