FAITH CAPSULE: Faith, not fear, will make a way where you do not see any way.

1 Kings 17:1-16
 
By the good hand of God, the children of Israel were delivered from bondage which lasted more than four hundred years. After seeing the failure of their enemy to deny their deliverance, fear visited them at the entrance into their God’s promise. The Israelites complained, “If only we had died in the land of Egypt! Or if only we had died in this wilderness! Why has the Lord brought us to this land to fall by the sword, that our wives and children should become victims? Would it not be better for us to return to Egypt?” (Numbers 14:2-3)
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 who would provide for him. It is written in1 Kings 17:9, “Arise, go to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and dwell there. See, I have commanded a widow there to provide for you.” This widow did not even have enough for herself and her son to survive. When Elijah approached her, she made this known to him in 1 Kings 17:12, “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.’” God commanded Elijah “See, I have commanded a widow to provide” but the widow responded to Elijah, “See, I only have a handful for me and my son.” Fear is the thickest cloud that will blind man’s vision from seeing where God has already made provision for man’s 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 challenge? 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 else in that city. Faith was all she needed to prevail. It is written, “And Elijah said to her, ‘Do 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.’” (1 Kings 17:13) Faith, not fear, will make a way where you do not see any way.
 
Prayer for today: Ask God for the grace of holding on in faith at all times.