Fear Not< ?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>

1 Kings 17:8-16

Fear opens the door for failure; faith makes way for man to prevail. In time of famine, God sent Elijah to a widow of Zarephath to provide for him. 1 Kings 17:9, ÒArise, go to Zarephath, which belongs to < ?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>Sidon, and dwell there. See, I have commanded a widow there to provide for you.Ó The widow that was to provide for Elijah by the LORDÕs command did not even have enough for herself and her son to survive. When Elijah approached her, she made it known to Elijah, 1 Kings 17:12, ÒSo she said, ÔAs 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.ÕÓ God commanded Elijah ÒSee, I have commanded a widow to provideÓ but the widow responded to Elijah, ÒSee, I only have a handful for me and my son.Ó Fear is the thickest cloud that will blind your vision from seeing where God has already made provision for your survival. She was reacting by what she saw and what she had, while Elijah responded by what the LORD had said. What is the word of God saying concerning your dilemma? For the widow of Zarephath, God spoke through Elijah, but fear was the only force that could have caused the widow to suffer the famine like everyone in that city, while faith was all she needed to prevail. 1 Kings 17:13, ÒAnd Elijah said to her, ÔDo not fear; go and do as you have said but make me a small cake first, and bring it to me; and afterward make some for yourself and your son.ÕÓ Faith, not fear, will make a way where you do not see a way.