WOULD WE STILL?

If life were to hit us a hard blow, and just then, if the LORD would ask from us, our greatest sacrifice; would we be willing to obey the LORD, and faithfully sacrifice what we are being asked for? This is not an easy question to answer. Neither is it, an unimportant question, to ignore it.

Prophet Elijah was asked to go to Zarephath, to a poor widow, in 1 Kings 17:8-16, immediately after being fed by the ravines. The woman was not only poor, and a widow, but she also had a dependent son. As if that is not enough, she had just enough food for a last meal for her son, and herself; after which she was awaiting their certain death.

STARING CERTAIN DEATH
What the widow and her son faced is absolutely clear, and there is no ambiguity about it.
“12 So she said, “As the LORD your God lives, I do not have bread, only a handful of flour in a bin, and a little oil in a jar; and see, I am gathering a couple of sticks that I may go in and prepare it for myself and my son, that we may eat it, and die.” – 1 Kings 17:12

“STRANGE” MEAL REQUEST
Prophet Elijah’s request for some water and a meal is not unusual for a prophet to ask people. The woman who was staring death, is asked for a “strange” request. What would be her mental and emotional state? What was she thinking when the prophet of YAHWEH asked even her last meal? Elijah asked her with great respect.
“10…he called to her, and said, Fetch me, I pray thee, a little water in a vessel, that I may drink. 11 And as she was going to fetch it, he called to her, and said, Bring me, I pray thee, a morsel of bread in thine hand.” – 1 Kings 17:10

SURE PROMISE
The widow’s response, made prophet Elijah to speak what the LORD impressed upon him…a promise of sustenance…for himself and the widow and her son – verses 8-9.
“13 And Elijah said unto her, Fear not; go and do as thou hast said: but make me thereof a little cake first, and bring it unto me, and after make for thee and for thy son. 14 For thus saith the LORD God of Israel, The barrel of meal shall not waste, neither shall the cruse of oil fail, until the day that the LORD sendeth rain upon the earth.” – 1 Kings 17:13-14

STRAIGHT OBEDIENCE
The widow, though facing her own struggles, storms and challenges, obeys the request for a meal, without any delay. There is no further explanation, nor any effort to hold a discussion about the pros and the cons of such an audacious obedience. She demonstrated a faith, which had no delays, nor any doubts being expressed. This doesn’t mean she had none. She decided unhesitantly that, it is better to trust God, and do what He says, than haggle about with doubts and questions. If she is wrong, she is wrong doing a good thing.
“15 And she went and did according to the saying of Elijah…” – 1 Kings 17:15

Would we do the same, if we were in the widow’s place? Would we still obey the LORD, unquestioningly, unhesitantly and immediately, in the face of certain death? Good to ponder of this. Even so the LORD help us.