DEVOTION ~ AN ACT OF KINDNESS

Theme: An Act of Kindness 

Text: 1 Kings 17:8-16

8 Then the word of the Lord came to him, 9 “Arise, go to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and dwell there. Behold, I have commanded a widow there to feed you.” 10 So he arose and went to Zarephath. And when he came to the gate of the city, behold, a widow was there gathering sticks. And he called to her and said, “Bring me a little water in a vessel, that I may drink.” 11 And as she was going to bring it, he called to her and said, “Bring me a morsel of bread in your hand.” 12 And she said, “As the Lord your God lives, I have nothing baked, only a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a jug. And now I am gathering a couple of sticks that I may go in and prepare it for myself and my son, that we may eat it and die.” 13 And Elijah said to her, “Do not fear; go and do as you have said. But first make me a little cake of it and bring it to me, and afterward make something for yourself and your son. 14 For thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, ‘The jar of flour shall not be spent, and the jug of oil shall not be empty, until the day that the Lord sends rain upon the earth.’” 15 And she went and did as Elijah said. And she and he and her household ate for many days. 16 The jar of flour was not spent, neither did the jug of oil become empty, according to the word of the Lord that he spoke by Elijah.

We're continuing from yesterday's devotion where we studied how God used the brook and raven to feed Elijah until the brook run dried. God then directed him to a widow of Zarephath. It is this widow that we will focus on today.

The widow of Zarephath came out to pick up sticks so she can prepare her last meal and await death. Little did she know, her act of kindness and truthfulness will open an unfailing provision for her and her son. She would have said she had no flour but she chose to explain she had but little. This brought about her breakthrough and you can also receive your breakthrough by showing kindness even in the little things God blesses you with.

Elijah gave the key to receiving breakthrough, that's you ought not to fear. Oh yes, you must not fear. Peter's fear made him to sink (Matthew 14:28-31). Fear can usurp your blessings so don't make room for it in your life. If you put your trust in the Lord, He will never let you down.

Another key thing to note in this passage is honoring God with your first fruit. Proverbs 3:9&10 says; 9 Honor the Lord with your possessions, and with the firstfruits of all your increase; 10 So your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine. Elijah asked her to first make a little cake of what's remaining and bring it to him. What's remaining is what's being touched to yield more, and it serves as the first fruit of her barns. She did just as she had been instructed that's why the jar of flour was not spent and the jug of oil never empty. She and her son only ate after the prophet had eaten. Obedience is also important to receive your breakthrough. In obedience you will receive God's blessings.

Prayer: Merciful Father, I thank You for Your Word. I pray You give me a charitable spirit to be kind to all. Help me to obey You in all things even now and forevermore in Jesus' name have I asked. AMEN!