Is life a comedy or a tragedy? Are we the hero or the victim? Or maybe the villain? Is the world descending into chaos and dystopia or are we on a path of ever-increasing prosperity and progress? The stories we tell orient us to our place in the world and our role in the story.
The Bible tells the story of a loving God and a messy people. There is a beginning and an end. Major themes of creation, redemption, and sanctification trace the arc of this grand narrative. And Jesus Christ is the center of it all – the great hero of the story who comes incognito to rescue and redeem his broken creation.
Invocation
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Invitation
“You have made us for Yourself. And our hearts are restless until they rest in You.” (Augustine)
Creator of all things, hear my voice, for you have made it. You who live in heaven, hear my prayer from earth. I am one person in one little town in one corner of your vast creation. Of all the people on the planet, hear me also. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Confession
O God, in the beginning you made us good, even “very good.” I admit the many things in my life that are far from your good intent. I try to change, and then find myself in the same place once again. Lord, you know me. Have mercy. Make me right. Forgive my wickedness. Bring me back to good, as you intended from the beginning. Amen.
Word: 1 Kings 17:13-14
“And Elijah said to her, ‘Do not fear; go and do as you have said. But first make me a little cake of it and bring it to me, and afterward make something for yourself and your son. For thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, ‘The jar of flour shall not be spent, and the jug of oil shall not be empty, until the day that the Lord sends rain upon the earth.’”
Meditation: God Provides for Us by Allison Lewis
When I read about the prophet Elijah, I’m instantly drawn to the miracles that surround his life. He is fed by ravens; he raises a widow’s son; he defeats the prophets of Baal; he is fed by angels (1 Kings 17-19). But it all starts when the Lord tells Elijah to go to a town called Zarephath and that a widow there will feed him. At this time, there is a drought in the land; water and food are scarce. Elijah trusts the Lord will provide, and he finds the widow at the city gate.
He asks the widow to bring him water and bread. She tells him that she doesn’t have much—only a handful of flour and a tiny bit of oil. She is preparing something for her and her son to eat. The widow is fearful — she thinks this could be the last meal they ever eat together on this side of heaven.
Elijah recognizes her fear. He knows that she is being truthful. But he repeats his request: “Go and do as you have said. But first make me a little cake …” That must have been a tough request for the widow to hear. She might have wondered, “What will the Lord provide for me and my son? Will there be enough for all of us to eat?”
Elijah encourages the widow with a promise of God: “For thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, ‘The jar of flour shall not be spent, and the jug of oil shall not be empty, until the day that the Lord sends rain upon the earth.”
In faith, the widow makes a cake for Elijah. The Lord in his faithfulness provides for them, just as he promised. The jug of oil and the jar of flour does not empty until the Lord sends rain.
We experience God’s provision each day. When we say the Lord’s Prayer, we ask him to provide what we need: Give us this day our daily bread. When we partake in the Lord’s Supper, we receive the body and blood of our Savior. When we read his word, we are refreshed through his promises. Thank goodness for a God who loves us and provides us with what we need.
Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for providing me with everything I need to support this body and life. Help me to trust your provision when things look bleak. Strengthen me with your promises. Amen.
Benediction
Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!
For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen. (Rom. 11:33,36))