Prepared Provision

My family and I love to go camping. We have to plan the dates when we will be off work and then my wife plans the menu. We also plan for s’mores (one of my favorite parts) and then finally the trip arrives. When we plan and prepare we can have a more relaxing trip. There are times when my best plans still don’t work the way I envisioned them.

Elijah had told King Ahab that the Lord had said there would be no rain or dew for the next several years. Then the Lord hid Elijah in a ravine and had the ravens bring him food. When the brook he was drinking from dried because of the lack of rain, he instructed Elijah to go somewhere else that He had prepared. Check this out…

9 ‘Go at once to Zarephath in the region of Sidon and stay there. I have instructed a widow there to supply you with food.’

13 Elijah said to her, ‘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. 14 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.”’

15 She went away and did as Elijah had told her. So there was food every day for Elijah and for the woman and her family. 16 For the jar of flour was not used up and the jug of oil did not run dry, in keeping with the word of the Lord spoken by Elijah. (1 Kings 17:9; 13-16 NIV)

I love Elijah’s relationship with God. The Lord told him to go to the ravine beside the brook and he would have food from the ravens and water from the brook. He then told Elijah to go to this widow because the Lord had instructed her to supply him with food. It was scary for the woman, because she was down to her last portion of food. She made a cake for Elijah first and the promise of provision came true.

I am so thankful for the Lord’s provision for me and my family. I remember times when I was scared about not having enough money for food. I have been amazed at how the Lord provides WHEN I trust Him to provide. My best-laid plans are sometimes laughable against His plans. I believe provision is a daily experience. I also believe that He prepares me to receive His provision. He often works way ahead of me. I’ve learned the value of trusting in His plan and His provision. My part is to trust Him. I trust Him through giving and living. His provision and His favor are invaluable to me. I love when He blows me away with both.

Pressing On!

Dwayne