Lesson 3: "Experiencing God’s Faithfulness" I Kings 17:7-16
"The jar of flour was not used up, the jug of oil did not run dry…" I Kings 17:16
When the brook dries up
My minor miracle
Elijah seemed to understand the message of Matthew 6:33, and he had already experienced God’s faithful care while in the Kerith Ravine, but he was about to learn more about God’s faithfulness
Imagine Elijah’s anxiety level as he watched the brook slow to a mere trickle
That brook can represent something in our lives
At the last moment!
It can be difficult to build our faith on something that happened to us years before, it’s doubly difficult if those events happened to someone else. Remember that Elijah was "a man just like us". And realize the area where our needs are not being met can create our greatest frustrations and doubt
When did God speak to Elijah? When the brook dried up, and not before! (v. 8,9)
The widow at Zarephath
Why Zarephath? – like the ravens, help can come from unexpected directions
Why a poor widow? – Shouldn’t God have sent Elijah to someone who actually had some food? (also, see Matthew 15:21-28)
God is concerned when we are in need
God responds to people who are seeking to know Him
God was reassuring Elijah of His continual presence and power
God was also teaching Elijah to continue to rely on Him
God supplied "food every day" We must learn to trust God daily and constantly
4 Principles
#1) God is concerned about all people
#2)
God honors those who put others first
Again, what does Paul say? (Phil. 2:3,4; Phil. 4:12,13)
And still another woman (Luke 21:1-4)
What do we give our worship to? What do we choose to serve?
#3)
God delights in taking what we have and multiplying their effectiveness
#4)
At times the Lord keeps us on the edge of uncertainty to develop our faith
