August 12 Pathway to Blessing

1 Kings 17:10-12 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."

ELIJAH did what the Lord instructed. He walked 80 miles to Zarephath. A step of faith can require a long journey.

           It seems Elijah talked to the first widow he met. And she responded to his request for a cup of water. But I wonder if Elijah had spoken to perhaps a dozen or so widows, and she is the first to say, "Yes." Others may have refused him. If so, they missed an extraordinary blessing of God's presence in their lives as Elijah and this woman are about to experience.

           It is easy, isn't it to say, "No." to a simple request for help. We're busy, and we have plans. There are things to get done. To say, "Yes." means we must stop what we're doing. We have to adjust our schedule to someone else. In addition, we don't know where our first, "Yes." will lead. What next will we have to do? But when we do hold back, we often miss God's next step for us on our pathway to his blessings.

           With the widow's first "Yes." She has taken her first step to extraordinary blessings to come from God. Then she takes a second step when Elijah requested "a morsel of bread".

           In this conversation, Elijah, too must be faithful to God. He is trusting God to provide for him as the Lord said he would. Elijah is expecting the Lord God to show himself through this widow. Through the widow's and the prophet's "Yes." to God, the Lord's blessings will flow into their lives.

           Saying, "Yes." to the little asks God directs to you is surely one key to unlocking God's plan for your life. As you step into new places with him, even when it means you must adjust your life to a simple request, God will show you more and more of himself. When you see him more clearly, you will more easily know, as Elijah did, where he wants you to be. In the right place, you will do the right work with him.

Prayer: Father in heaven, you create and sustain life. Open my eyes to see where I need to say, "Yes, Lord." In Jesus' name, amen.