The Widow of Zarephath

The Widow of Zarepath

How often, when we are in the depths of despair, does someone else ask for help, and the instinct is to respond with unselfish love, to do what we can for the other person? The widow of Zarephath was preparing to die, along with her son. She was religious, – God had commanded her to help and because she was listening she went out of the city gates just as Elijah was arriving. She was not to know this was Elijah, yet she still gave to him, – a stranger at the gates of Zarephath. He was clearly dry and thirsty from his journey wherever that was from. Elijah tested her trust, and it was found full. The Love that met Elijah’s needs also met hers and her family’s. The outreach of love is universal to those who are listening, watching and obedient to its tender touch. The widow of Zarephath reminds me of Jesus’ observation when he saw a poor widow casting her two mites into the treasury, “she of her penury hath cast in all the living that she had.” Luke 21:4 . When we give our all to God, we find true abundance, for then God shines through our lives, and we can bless everyone that is in the radius of that light. In such ways does God preserve all those under the shadow of His wings, and we become “angels unawares” (Hebrews 13:1-2).

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