How to Like a Little

How to Like a Little

Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you were expecting one thing from God, but received something entirely different? Perhaps you were praying for a specific outcome, only to be met with circumstances that seemed far from what you had hoped for. In times like these, it's easy to question God's provision and wonder if He's truly listening to our prayers.

But what if the very thing we perceive as a setback is actually God's way of preparing us for something greater?

Let's delve into a powerful story from the Bible that illustrates this concept beautifully. In 1 Kings 17, we encounter the prophet Elijah during a time of severe drought in Israel. God instructs Elijah to go to a place called Kerith Ravine, where He promises to provide for him. True to His word, God sends ravens to bring Elijah bread and meat twice a day, and Elijah drinks from a nearby brook.

However, as the drought persists, the brook eventually dries up. It's at this moment that God gives Elijah a new directive: to go to Zarephath, where He has commanded a widow to supply him with food.

Now, here's where the story takes an interesting turn. When Elijah arrives in Zarephath and meets the widow, he asks her for water and bread. Her response is both heartbreaking and revealing:

"As surely as the Lord your God lives," she replied, "I don't have any bread—only a handful of flour in a jar and a little olive oil in a jug. I am gathering a few sticks to take home and make a meal for myself and my son, that we may eat it—and die." (1 Kings 17:12)

At first glance, it might seem that God's promise has fallen short. After all, He had told Elijah that this widow would provide for him, yet she barely has enough to feed herself and her son. But Elijah, guided by faith, sees beyond the apparent lack and recognizes God's provision in a different form.

He tells the widow, "Don't be afraid. Go home and do as you have said. But first make a small loaf of bread for me from what you have and bring it to me, and then make something for yourself and your son. For 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 sends rain on the land.'" (1 Kings 17:13-14)

This story teaches us several profound lessons:

1. God's provision often comes in unexpected forms.
The widow was looking for bread, but God had given her the ingredients—flour and oil. Sometimes, we fixate on the end result we desire, overlooking the resources God has already placed in our hands.

2. Obedience precedes miracle.
The widow had to act in faith, using the little she had to feed Elijah first, before seeing God's miraculous provision manifest in her own life.

3. God's promises are fulfilled in His timing and His way.
While God had indeed directed the widow to provide for Elijah, the manner in which this provision came about was likely far from what anyone expected.

4. A little, when blessed by God, can go a long way.
The small amount of flour and oil became an endless supply, demonstrating that God can multiply our meager resources beyond our imagination.

Throughout the Bible, oil is often used as a symbol of the Holy Spirit. In the Old Testament, it was used to anoint kings and priests, signifying God's presence and empowerment. In the New Testament, Jesus' ministry is described as being empowered by the Holy Spirit, and believers are said to have an "anointing" that enables them to understand truth and discern falsehood.

When we apply this symbolism to our own lives, we can see that sometimes what appears to be a shortage might actually be God providing us with the "oil" of His Spirit—the very thing we need to navigate our circumstances and fulfill His purposes.

Consider the words of 2 Chronicles 7:14: "If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land."

This verse reminds us that our part is to humble ourselves, pray, seek God's face, and turn from our sins. When we do this, we position ourselves to receive God's provision, even if it comes in unexpected ways.

So, the next time you find yourself disappointed because God seems to be giving you oil instead of bread, pause and consider:

- What resources has God already placed in your hands that you might be overlooking?
- How might God be calling you to act in faith with what little you have?
- In what ways could the "oil" of God's Spirit be exactly what you need in this season?

Remember, just as a little flour gets on you when you spend time around bread, so too does the presence of God rub off on us when we stay close to Him. And when that "flour" of His presence combines with the "oil" of His Spirit, miraculous things can happen.

Let's challenge ourselves to look beyond our immediate circumstances and trust that God's provision, though it may look different than we expect, is always perfect and always on time. For it's often in the moments when we feel we have the least that God does His greatest work, turning our little into much and our scarcity into abundance.

As we navigate life's challenges, may we always remember that the God who fed Elijah by ravens and sustained a widow with never-ending oil is the same God who watches over us today. He is faithful, He is good, and His provision—in whatever form it takes—is always enough.