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         The account of Elijah’s stay with the widow of Zarephath is found in I Kings chapter seventeen. It's worth a read if you are not familiar with it.  Verse sixteen says: “There was always enough flour and olive oil left in the containers just as the Lord had promised through Elijah.”

J.R. Miller makes these comments about this story.  “There was always just a little meal and a little oil but the supply never grew any less.  After each day's food had been taken out there was another day's left.  There was never a month's supply ahead nor even two days supply.  The added provision came only as there was need.  There was in that household a continuous lesson in faith, but the food of no day failed.  The lesson is that God wants us to live by the day.  The same truth is taught us in the prayer Jesus gave: ‘Give us this day Our Daily Bread.’  Enough for the day is all we are to ask.  God does not promise supplies in advance.  If we have only bread for today and are doing our duty faithfully, we may trust him till tomorrow for tomorrow's food.  And it will surely come for God's word fails not.”

            I believe that everyone struggles with worry at sometime in their lives.  Food security is becoming more prevalent even in this land of plenty.  The food shortages are much more common in countries like Haiti.  Believers there certainly must consistently claim the promises of provision.  Jesus came to a country that was no stranger to poverty and food challenges.  And in Matthew chapter six he reassures the people of the New Testament that the God of provision in the Old Testament that sustained the widow and her son still provides for the tomorrows of his New Testament followers:

And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you.  Why do you have so little faith?  “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’  These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.  “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries.  Today’s trouble is enough for today.

            We should note that Jesus adds some conditions: Seek the Kingdom of God above all else and live righteously.  Any preoccupation with worry will prevent the attainment of either of those goals.  Ira Stanphill’s hymn is a good one to regularly sing to ourselves to help remind us of the words of Jesus.  “I don't know about tomorrow, I just live from day to day. I don't borrow from its sunshine, For its skies may turn to gray. I don't worry o'er the future, For I know what Jesus said, And today I'll walk beside Him, For He knows what is ahead.”

                                                                                                                        Pastor Dave