God at Work

Press the play button to watch the video above or press 'more' to read the transcript of the daily devotion below. Please read 1 Kings 17:8-16 (use your own Bible or use the link above to access the in-App Bible).

‘The jar of meal was not emptied, neither did the jug of oil fail, according to the word of the Lord that he spoke by Elijah.’ 1 Kings 17:16

As part of a small Diocesan team, I recently visited the Diocese of Multan in Pakistan. This Diocese is in central Pakistan and the area is famous for its deserts. We visited one of these deserts called ‘Cholistan’ (Land of sands) where there is drought, poverty, and lack of provisions. In addition, there is spiritual drought and scarcity. Many people (tribes) worship other gods. God works in unexpected places and people. He has been sending His servants to Cholistan for proclaiming the gospel. Many people (tribes) welcome them and honour the gospel of Jesus to have abundant and everlasting life (John 10:10) even amidst harsh circumstances.

Today’s reading depicts a similar picture where God sent Elijah for refuge in Zarephath amidst drought and famine (v.9). The region is the homeland of Jezebel (King Ahab’s pagan wife) who served and worshiped other gods (Baal and Asherah). There is spiritual drought and scarcity. Elijah confronted King Ahab and he may have been thinking ‘why God is sending me into a lion’s den?'. But he obeys God’s word and trusts in His promises. Because his relationship with God is deep and his trust in the Lord is rock-solid. God works in unexpected places and people for His glorious purposes. Elijah is given sustenance through a destitute and vulnerable widow.

This widow had lost all her hopes of life in this drought and waits to die along with her son. Death is lurking around. But although a non-believer she welcomes God’s servant and honours His word. She gives a tiny amount of bread and oil (v.12), but this is all she had. Her resources are meagre and temporary (v.12) but when she trusts God’s word, she reaps in abundance (vv.15-16) and eventually everlasting life.

Our county and country may not experience any drought or famine like Elijah’s time or the deserts of central Pakistan, but there are people who live under poverty and lack of provisions. In addition, there is spiritual drought and scarcity. There is ‘a famine of hearing the words of the Lord’ (Amos 8:11). But God works in unexpected places and people for His glorious purposes. He sends us to these places and people with the life-giving glorious gospel of Jesus. Like the widow we must receive God’s word, trust in Him, and give ourselves fully to Jesus so that we may receive abundant and everlasting life.

Let us pray: Heavenly Father continue to work in unexpected places and people to give abundant and everlasting life in Jesus Christ. Amen.

The Revd Munawar Din, Vicar of St Luke’s, Brierfield & St Cuthbert’s, Burnley.