The Widowed Mother of I Kings 17

I Kings 17:8-16

 

INTRO: Here in I Kings 17, we have a single mom.  It is very difficult for mothers when there is no father present.  This woman was faithful to her husband, and he to her; but death took him while there was still a child at home.

As we celebrate Mother’s Day, I want us to be mindful of the hardships that many Christian mothers face, the trials that they endure, and the God that they lean upon.

 

I.        VSS 9-10, THE CONNECTION OF THIS MAN WITH HER FATHER IN HEAVEN

A.       Vs 9, From this verse, there are several things we find out about this mother.

1. She had a personal relationship with her heavenly Father; she knew the Lord God of heaven.  As I think of her, I think of the words to “In the Garden.”

I come to the garden alone, while the dew is still on the roses; and the voice I hear, falling on my ear, the Son of God discloses.  And He walks with me, and He talks with me, And He tells me I am His own, and the joy we share as we tarry there, None other has ever know.

2. When God said: “I have commanded a widow woman there to sustain [feed] thee,” it shows us that she talked with God and He communed with here.

a. Ladies, it is important that you talk to God in prayer:

1- Pray early and pray often.  Psalm 3:4, “I cried unto the Lord with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill.”

2- Psalm 5:3, “O Lord; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.”

b. This dear mother had been through the school of pain, heartache, and sorrow.

1- She was barely scrapping by.  Her money was gone, and her cupboard was as near empty as it could get; yet she could still hear from God.

2- She was a widow, a single mom, her husband was dead, but her God was still alive.

3- Mom when you are in the midst of trials and you are surrounded by trials and heartache, look up (II Chron 20:12).

B.       Vs 10, God sent Elijah to a mother who was busy taking care of her son, a woman willing to do all she could for her boy.

1. Jesus mentions this mother in Luke 4:25-26.

2. Why did God send Elijah to this mother?

a. Because she had a personal relationship with God and had been told by God to help Elijah.

b. Because she was busy.  God uses busy people in His work.  As a child, Jesus said: “...I must be about my Father’s business.”

c. Mom, don’t give up.  Stay busy for God; keep your hand to the plow (Lk 9:62).

d. It is not easy being a mom today.  You will need God’s strength to keep going, and He will give you what you need.  Count on it!

 

II.       VSS 11-12, THIS MOM AND THE CONCERNS OF HER HEART

A.       Vs 11, Here we have the request made by the prophet Elijah.  Why would Elijah ask this poor woman for food knowing she was destitute?  Because God had sent him (Rm 8:28).

B.       Vs 12, This mother’s concerns are expressed in this verse.

1. She does what so many of us do when things get tough, she looked at the problem and not to the answer (Psa 121:1-2).  Note her concern.

a. Instead of focusing on how big God is, she focuses on how little she has: expecting to eat and die.

b. Verse eight tells us that this mom knows what God’s will is for her, but doesn’t see how she can accomplish it.  Many mom’s today don’t know how they are going to provide for their young ones.  Mom, remember the words of Philippians 4:19: “...my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”

2. She had fears and these fears were robbing her of blessings.  Moms, I want you to know that fear is not of God.  Fear comes from the evil one who wants us to look at our problems and not at God, the problem solver (II Tim 1:7, “...God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”).

a. Fear will steal your joy, your praise, your power, your passion, and your possibilities if you let it.

b. There are things, mom, that you can’t understand, things that don’t make sense, but I urge you to trust God, lean on Him (Prov 3:5-6, “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not unto thine own understanding....”).

c. Mom, don’t be defeated by trials, heartaches, and fears.  Don’t get bitter; get better!  Trust God!  Give your fears to the crucified, buried, and risen Savior!  The victorious one (I Cor 15:57, “...Thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”).

 

III.      VSS 13-16, THE VICTORIOUS FAITH OF THIS MOTHER

A.       Some say seeing is believing.  This mom believed and then saw God work mightily.

B.       Vss 13-14, Elijah gave instruction in accordance with, “Thus saith the Lord God....”

1. Elijah tells her that God will take care of her as a shepherd does his sheep.  “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want” (Psa 23:1).

2. Mom, trust in God and do what the Lord directs you to do.

C.      Vs 15, The Bible says here that: “...she went and did according to the saying of Elijah.”

1. She obeyed and God blessed her, the man of God, and her son.

2. Obedience is what we need for, “Obedience is better than sacrifice....”

D.      Vs 16, God is faithful to His Word (vs 14).  Every time she dipped in to make a hoe cake, the meal increased.  Every time she used some oil, it was replenished.  God honored her faith by supplying her need.