So often when we need God’s hand to intervene- when nothing short of a miracle will save – we forget that typically there are actions that occur before receiving the miracle. The actions vary. There is not an explicit formula (for good reason), as we would begin to discount the hand of God – the One who is performing the miracle and chalk the miracle into the formula and our wisdom of knowing it.
It seems very interesting to me that God doesn’t always choose those who are already walking with Him to demonstrate His miraculous power. Sometimes, God chooses people who are not likely candidates, but whose hearts appear to be primed and ready for a glimpse of Him. And when God shows up, there is a sort of pivotal moment where their hearts are moved to follow and serve God, or the miracle is dismissed as “good luck” and the internal void where only God fits is left vacant.
When the latter happens, my heart hurts for God. He deserves the credit. His loving and amazing pursuit of mankind should be rewarded by our passion and pursuit of Him. And yet, our Father will not force us to follow Him. He will only continue to allow us to make the choice on our own.
But God, when He sees a heart that is ready – aching for what only He can provide – truly shows His miraculous side.
I love the example of a widow in the book of 1 Kings. The widow has a son she must provide for, but while this would be challenging enough under good circumstances – the land has entered into a drought. What this widow doesn’t know is that the God of Israel – the One true God – sees her. He hears her heart. He knows her concerns for provision and the survival of both her and her son. She doesn’t yet know God, after all, He is not the God of her people. And yet God speaks to her – before He sends a great prophet to her.
“I have instructed a widow to feed you there.” (1 Kings 17:9b) Imagine, if you can, the confusion of hearing from God, while at best only knowing of Him. God wants me to feed His prophet? With what? We barely have anything left? And what hope do we have to get anything more?
It is then that Elijah, God’s prophet shows up on the scene. He is tired. He is hungry. He is led by God to this specific widow. Elijah knows that God has spoken to her. Elijah knows that this widow doesn’t know God, yet. But following the direction of God, Elijah asks the widow for food.
The widow is still wrestling with the situation she finds herself in. “She said, “I swear by the LORD your God that I don’t have a single piece of bread in the house. And I have only a handful of flour left in the jar and a little cooking oil in the bottom of the jug. I was just gathering a few sticks to cook this last meal, and then my son and I will die.” (1 Kings 17:12)
In her response, we are given a clearer window into her situation. She and her son are not only hungry for food, but they are also hungry for hope. Their situation is beyond dire. What God has prompted her to do – what this prophet is requesting of her – seem crazy at best. Feed the stranger first? Put the stranger above the needs of my child? Even if she wanted to believe this new God, she had to be completely conflicted inside.
It’s as if Elijah sees the inner turmoil. “But Elijah said to her, “Don’t be afraid! Go ahead and do just what you’ve said, but make a little bread for me first. Then use what is left to prepare a meal for yourself and your son. For this is what the LORD, the God of Israel says: There will always be flour and olive oil left in your containers until the time when the LORD sends rain and the crops grow again.” (1 Kings 17:13-14)
The widow responds with action. She takes a risk on the God of Israel – perhaps because she is beginning to see that this God is unlike the gods she has grown up serving. This is a God who speaks. This is a God who could save. So the widow acts, in faith and obedience, and true to His promise, God continues to keep flour and olive oil in her containers. They simply never run out.
While this woman and her son are certainly being exposed to God and His provision through this miracle and the presence of Elijah living in their home, life isn’t all smooth sailing. It appears that this widow is still somewhat shallow in the depths of her faith and trust in the LORD.
However, “Sometime later the woman’s son became sick. He grew worse and worse, and finally, he died. Then she said to Elijah, “O man of God, what have you done to me? Have you come here to point out my sins and kill my son?” (1 Kings 17:17-18)
The widow had entered into a crisis of her faith that exceeded her understanding. If this God was real, and she was being obedient to Him – if she had been making strides to live a life more aligned to his commands and turning from her sins – why then would a good God take the life of her son? Why would He punish her? Rob her of her joy and purpose in life?
Friend, God’s plan, simply put is not our plan. His ways are not our ways. However, what I do know is that God was allowing circumstances to happen – like this boy dying – in order to show His power – and to bring salvation into this home.
Elijah, seeing the situation, and feeling the loss, begins petitioning to God. God responds to the cries of His children and to the obedience of His servants – and He restored life to the boy.
“Then the woman told Elijah, “Now I know for sure that you are a man of God and that the LORD truly speaks through you.” (1 Kings 17:24) Another miracle performed. All doubt is eradicated. The God of Israel becomes the God of this widow and her son.
So often, the action comes before the miracle. Yet when the miracles come, we have a choice with what we do next. Will we give God the credit He is due and live our lives for Him? Or will we chalk up the miraculous to luck, and miss out on the blessings – the Source of hope?
How I pray that God’s hand will always drive us closer to God’s loving heart.
Blessings!