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Wayne Barber · Citado em PreceptAustin
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Barber - Like a diamond against a backdrop of black velvet, the wickedness of Elijah’s day highlights the workings of God through Elijah, and causes the full beauty of what God was doing to be seen. Philip Ryken - Since Elijah was a man like us, we are called to become men and women like him. Elijah’s strategy for living for God in an evil day can be summarized in three simple words: pray, obey, stay. First, Elijah prayed. To live for God in an evil day is to become a person of prayer. In 1 Kings 17 it seems as if God is doing all the talking, through Elijah, to Ahab. But the book of James offers this profound interpretation of the ministry of Elijah: “He prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth” (James 5:17). The expression James uses in Greek appears to be carried over from Hebrew. To translate more literally, “with prayer, he prayed,” or “praying, he prayed.” Thus Elijah is held up as an example for us—not as a preacher, a prophet, a miracle worker, or an athlete, although he was all these things—but as a man of prayer. James indicates that the judgment God announced to Ahab, through Elijah, was first prompted by the prayers of Elijah. So before God talked to Ahab, Elijah talked to God. Before the prophet came to the palace gates in Samaria, he was in his prayer closet in Gilead. Before he was on his feet before the king of Israel, he was on his knees before the King of kings. Elijah had been on his knees for quite some time. Careful study of the Scriptures reveals how long Elijah had been in prayer. The famine ended in the third year (1 Kings 18:1), but James says that Elijah prayed earnestly and it did not rain for three and a half years. Jesus said the same thing when he preached in Nazareth: “in Israel in the days of Elijah, when the heavens were shut up three years and six months, and a great famine came over all the land” (Luke 4:25). By doing a little simple arithmetic, we can deduce that Elijah had been in prayer for at least six months before he went to speak with Ahab. (1 Kings) THOUGHT - The call to serve God often begins with a burden to pray for the Lord’s work for some particular person, particular problem, or particular place. As we pray, we begin to discern God’s calling. (Ryken) ELIJAH - THE LORD IS GOD - 101X IN 95V - note that 20% of all uses (20) are in 1 Kings 18! OLD TESTAMENT USES - 1 Ki. 17:1; 1 Ki. 17:13; 1 Ki. 17:15; 1 Ki. 17:16; 1 Ki. 17:18; 1 Ki. 17:22; 1 Ki. 17:23; 1 Ki. 17:24; 1 Ki. 18:1; 1 Ki. 18:2; 1 Ki. 18:7; 1 Ki. 18:8; 1 Ki. 18:11; 1 Ki. 18:14; 1 Ki. 18:15; 1 Ki. 18:16; 1 Ki. 18:17; 1 Ki. 18:21; 1 Ki. 18:22; 1 Ki. 18:25; 1 Ki. 18:27; 1 Ki. 18:30; 1 Ki. 18:31; 1 Ki. 18:36; 1 Ki. 18:40; 1 Ki. 18:41; 1 Ki. 18:42; 1 Ki. 18:46; 1 Ki. 19:1; 1 Ki. 19:2; 1 Ki. 19:9; 1 Ki. 19:13; 1 Ki. 19:19; 1 Ki. 19:20; 1 Ki. 19:21; 1 Ki. 21:17; 1 Ki. 21:20; 1 Ki. 21:28; 2 Ki. 1:3; 2 Ki. 1:4; 2 Ki. 1:8; 2 Ki. 1:10; 2 Ki. 1:12; 2 Ki. 1:13; 2 Ki. 1:15; 2 Ki. 1:17; 2 Ki. 2:1; 2 Ki. 2:2; 2 Ki. 2:4; 2 Ki. 2:6; 2 Ki. 2:8; 2 Ki. 2:9; 2 Ki. 2:11; 2 Ki. 2:12; 2 Ki. 2:13; 2 Ki. 2:14; 2 Ki. 2:15; 2 Ki. 3:11; 2 Ki. 9:36; 2 Ki. 10:10; 2 Ki. 10:17; 1 Chr. 8:27; 2 Chr. 21:12; Ezr. 10:21; Ezr. 10:26; Mal. 4:5; NEW TESTAMENT USES - Matt. 11:14; Matt. 16:14; Matt. 17:3; Matt. 17:4; Matt. 17:10; Matt. 17:11; Matt. 17:12; Matt. 27:47; Matt. 27:49; Mk. 6:15; Mk. 8:28; Mk. 9:4; Mk. 9:5; Mk. 9:11; Mk. 9:12; Mk. 9:13; Mk. 15:35; Mk. 15:36; Lk. 1:17; Lk. 4:25; Lk. 4:26; Lk. 9:8; Lk. 9:19; Lk. 9:30; Lk. 9:33; Jn. 1:21; Jn. 1:25; Rom. 11:2; Jas. 5:17 Dr Robert G Lee preached a classic sermon Payday, Someday (live youtube video) in which he dealt with the lives of Ahab, Jezebel and Elijah. Here is an excerpt from this classic message... I introduce to you Ahab, the vile human toad who squatted upon the throne of his nation—the worst of Israel’s kings. King Ahab had command of a nation’s wealth and a nation’s army, but he had no command of his lusts and appetites. Ahab wore rich robes … he ate the finest food … he lived in palaces sumptuous within and without … yet he lived nearly all of his life under the thumb of a wicked woman—a tool in her hands.… “I introduce to you Jezebel, daughter of Ethbaal, King of Tyre, and wife of Ahab, the King of Israel—a king’s daughter and a king’s wife, the evil genius at once of her dynasty and her country.… Most of that which is bad in all evil women found expression through this painted viper of Israel. She had the rich endowment of nature which a good woman ought always to dedicate to the service of her day and generation. But—alas!—this idolatrous daughter of an idolatrous king of an idolatrous people engaged with her maidens in worship unto Ashtoreth—the personification of the most forbidding obscenity, uncleanness, and sensuality—… [she was a] beautiful and malicious adder coiled upon the throne of the nation. “I introduce to you Elijah, the Tishbite, prophet of God at a time when by tens of thousands the people had forsaken God’s covenants, thrown down God’s altars, [and] slain God’s prophets with the sword.” (Payday, Someday) Whitfield - Our boldness for God before the world must always be the result of individual dealing with God in secret. Our victories over self, and sin, and the world, are always first fought where no eye sees but God’s.… If there be the daily work going on within us, unseen and unnoticed by any but God Himself, then we may depend upon certain victory in our conflicts before the world—then may we stand before an Ahab, and realize a living God at our side.… And if we have not these secret conflicts, well may we not have any open ones. The outward absence of conflict betrays the inward sleep of the soul. A Good Testimony - John Butler “Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the inhabitants of Gilead, said unto Ahab, As the Lord God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word.” (1 Kings 17:1) THE name Elijah gives us lessons from our verse today. The lessons are in the testimony Elijah’s parents were in naming their boy Elijah. The name Elijah means “Jehovah is God.” (“Eli” means God, “jah” means Jehovah). “Jehovah” is translated “LORD” in most English translations. The issue or that day was who was God? Jehovah or Baal. By naming their boy Elijah, the testimony of Elijah’s parents for Jehovah was courageous, correct, conspicuous, and continuous. Courageous. Baalism was the popular worship. In fact, it was so popular that Jehovah worshipers were being imprisoned and slain. So to name one’s child Elijah was a very courageous thing to do. But if you are going to have a good testimony for the Lord, you will have to demonstrate a great deal of courage at times. Correct. Elijah’s parents had their theology correct. Jehovah, not Baal, was God. You cannot have a good testimony if your doctrine is not correct. We have some popular movements today which play down the importance of doctrine. But when doctrine is not important, your testimony will lack credibility and value. Conspicuous. Their testimony was conspicuous because of the presence of Elijah. You cannot conceal a growing boy. He is going to be both visible and vocal. Therefore, wherever Elijah went, people would be aware of him and reminded by his name that Jehovah was God. Our testimony for the Lord needs to be conspicuous. Do not hide it “under a bushel” (Matthew 5:15) but put it where it will be seen and heard. Continuous. As long as Elijah was alive, the testimony continued. The preservation of Elijah’s life made his parents’ testimony about Jehovah continuous. All of us need a continuous testimony for the Lord. Our testimony must shine more than just on Sunday but must continue to shine every day of the week. It must never cease. OUR CHRISTIAN POSTURE ILLUSTRATION: Living on the farm, as my grandfather did, enabled him to choose a different way of life and to live by his own light. And his light certainly was the gospel. He wasn’t a particularly successful farmer. He worked about 160 acres and raised dairy cows and a mixture of crops. His life was centered on his faith in a way that is impossible in the city. He began every day with a family altar, right after breakfast. My Uncle Jim, who took over the farm when my grandfather died, carried on this practice. You milked the cows before breakfast. Then, after you had your Post-Toasties and your coffee, you went into the front room—seldom used for anything else—and you sat there and you read a chapter and you talked about it and then you knelt down and you prayed for as long as he figured was necessary—a long, slow prayer, everybody kneeling, putting your face into the sofa. I remember the smells of that sofa, of other members of the family. Only after this was done would you go out, hitch up the team, and cultivate the fields. It was very lovely to a kid. It was a way in which we were different from other people. In the country you could do that. 1. SITTING BEFORE THE LORD—IN REST Then went king David in, and sat before the LORD, and he said, Who am I, O Lord GOD? and what is my house, that thou hast brought me hitherto?—2 Samuel 7:18 2. STANDING BEFORE THE LORD—IN READINESS And Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the inhabitants of Gilead, said unto Ahab, As the LORD God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word.—1 Kings 17:1 3. SPEAKING BEFORE THE LORD—IN TESTIMONY Again, think ye that we excuse ourselves unto you? we speak before God in Christ: but we do all things, dearly beloved, for your edifying.—2 Corinthians 12:19 H A
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Barber - “Does Elijah’s experience at Cherith hold any significance for us?” And our answer to this question must be a resounding, “Yes!” However, we may be reasonably sure that God does not want us to go off into the hills and become hermits. He has drawn us to Himself so that we may bear witness to the light (i.e., to the truth that there is salvation only in Christ through His death on the cross on our behalf). How then does Elijah’s experience at Cherith find a parallel in our lives? Many of us believe that unless we are active all the time, we are slack in the practice of our faith. This is not so. There is a world of difference between being and doing, and that is what Elijah’s experience at Cherith illustrates for us. There is always the danger that we, as with Martha in the New Testament (John 11), may cope with life’s tensions and frustrations by engaging in busywork. And so we let external activity (even service for the Lord) take the place of inner reality (or fellowship with Him). And this is where Elijah’s stay by the brook speaks so clearly to our needs! Emotionally healthy people, who have sufficiently gratified their basic needs for safety, a sense of belonging, love, respect, and a sense of esteem, are motivated primarily by trends toward the fulfillment of their potential.17 And we, as believers in Christ, are no different. We are all at different levels on this ascending scale. For some, the need for physical and emotional security is greater than for others. In a person such as Elijah, these basic needs had been met, and he used the solitude of Cherith to quicken and deepen his Godward relationship. (See The Books of Kings, Volume 1: The Righteousness of God- Page 481) J R Miller - "It came to pass after a while, that the brook dried up!" 1 Kings 17:7 That is the way this world's brooks always do. For a time they flow full; then they begin to waste away, and at last dry up altogether. This is true of all earthly joys. There is a comfort, however, in what comes after the statement made in these words. When the brook dried up, God had another place ready for his servant. "Arise, and go to Zarephath." There he found other help ready. It must have been a sore test of Elijah's faith—to watch the stream growing less and less every day. "What shall I do when the brook is dry?" he would wonder. But we need not suppose that he ever worried about it. He knew that God was providing for him, and would have something else ready when this supply ceased. One morning there was no water running over the stones, and the prophet had to eat a dry breakfast only bread and meat; but still, I think he did not grow anxious. Then after breakfast the Lord came and told him to move. The lesson is, that we are never to doubt God, no matter how low the supply gets. Though we have come down to the last mouthful of bread—and the last cupful of water, and still see no new provision beyond, we are to take the last morsel with thankfulness, believing that God will have something else ready in time. It will be soon enough if it is ready when we have eaten the last crust! James Smith - ELIJAH, THE FAITHFUL 1 Kings 17:7–16 “Reason unstrung the harp to see Wherein the music dwells; Faith pours a hallelujah song, And heavenly rapture swells. While Reason strives to count the drops That lave our narrow strand, Faith launches o’er the mighty deep To seek a better land.” —HAVERGAL. We walk by faith, not by sight. Elijah had a long rest beside the secret brook—perhaps about twelve months. This would serve as a test both to his faith and his patience. We must learn to wait on God if we would do exploits for Him. Moses waited in the Midian desert forty years before the divine call came. But what could he have done to save Israel before that? The man who had to face the testing ordeal of Carmel must be a man approved of God. Precious faith, like precious gold, must needs pass through the refining fires. The prophet now receives another call. I. The Time of this Call. “After the brook dried up” (1Ki 17:7). We may be perfectly assured of this, that when God in His providence closes one door against His servants He will open another. It will be a trying time to witness in the channel of our present comforts being gradually narrowed and the stream slowly drying up. It may be the drying up of the brook of worldly prosperity, but especially when the much-loved brook of self-confidence has dried up do we feel how utterly helpless we are. But man’s extremity is God’s opportunity. II. The Command Given. “Arise, get thee to Zarephath” (1Ki 17:9). When the brook became silent then God spoke. When the mountains of our boasted strength shall depart and the hills of our carnal hopes be removed the kindness of the Lord shall not depart, neither shall the covenant of His peace be removed (Isa. 54:10). Zarephath means a smelting-house, a place of fiery trials. It was meet that the prophet of fire should pass through the refining furnace. All who would live godly must suffer persecution. Elijah’s journey of one hundred miles through a famine-stricken country would afford him ample opportunities for faith. Away from the shady brook, this must have been to him as a baptism of fire. Did not the New Testament Elijah say of Christ that He will baptise you with the Holy Ghost and with fire? III. The Promise Made. “I have commanded a widow to sustain thee” (v. 9). Perhaps the prophet thought that she must surely be a wealthy widow that was to supply his need during the remaining time of the famine. In any case, God’s “commands to the ravens” had not failed him, neither would His Word to the widow. How the message came to this poor widow we don’t know, but doubtless this Zidonian was prepared in some way; it may have been through earnest prayer, like Cornelius (Acts 10). He is faithful that hath promised. IV. The Test of Circumstances. This widow, as we suppose, with some secret God-given premonition that all her wants would be supplied, is now face to face with starvation. As far as her reason could go there was only “an handful of meal” between her and death. She went out with a heavy heart to gather fuel to cook her last meal when the crisis came (1Ki 17:10–12). Her circumstances seemed to belie the “command of God.” Abraham was similarly tried when commanded to offer up his son Isaac, the child of promise. But see, Elijah comes, looking for the wealthy widow with whom he was to lodge. He meets her gathering sticks, and when he asks “a morsel of bread” he is told that all she possesses for her and her son is “an handful of meal and a little oil.” Here, again, circumstances seem to make the Word of God of none effect. But, like Abraham, “he staggered not at the promise of God, but was strong in faith, giving glory to God, being fully persuaded that, what He had promised, He was able also to perform” (Rom. 4:20). He shows his faith in the divine promise by persisting in having the first share of the little store, and saying to the half-bewildered woman, “Fear not.” Did not our Lord ask a drink of the woman of Samaria, knowing that He had something better to give her, even that blessing which, like the widow’s meal, “shall not waste?” V. The Obedience of Faith. “She went and did according to the saying of Elijah” (1Ki 17:14, 15). The prophet gave her the promise of the Lord God of Israel, that the meal in that barrel would not waste nor the cruse of oil fail until the famine would cease. She believed the Word, and took what seemed her last handful of meal, and even with a hungry soul prepared it for Elijah. She practically gave away, at God’s bidding, all that she had, and cast herself entirely upon His promise. She had neither precedent nor example for such an act and for such a hope, but she had faith in the Word and power of God. Blessed are they who have not seen and yet have believed. VI. The Fulfilment of Promise. “The barrel of meal wasted not, neither did the cruse of oil fail, according to the Word of the Lord” (1Ki 17:16). Thus for a full year (1Ki 17:15, margin) did they eat bread, day by day, that was miraculously given them. Truly theirs was a life of faith on the promise of God. If the meal was always at the bottom of the barrel, yet was it never awanting. They who trust Him wholly will find Him wholly true. “Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?” (John 11:40). George H. Morrison - Some time later the brook dried up. —1 Kings 17:7 The failure of the waters was meant, first, to deepen the prophet [Elijah’s] sense of kinship.6 He was drawn into a new communion with Israel in the very hour that Cherith ceased to flow. There had been no rain, and the whole land was parched—and all the time, in the little vale of Cherith, the coolness and murmuring of the stream. It was very comfortable, and it was very happy, but it is not thus that Jehovah makes his prophets. What people have got to suffer they must suffer. What people have to endure they must endure. And so, that he might be a brother among brothers and feel his kinship with his suffering nation, some time later the brook dried up. That is still the secret of the failing brook—not because God is angry; it is because our Father wants us to be a family. One touch of nature makes us all akin, even if it is only a touch of common thirst, and there is many a brook that the Almighty dries so that we may cease from our pride and realize our kinship. There is no sympathy so deep and strong as the sympathy that springs out of a common suffering. Exclude a person from what others have to bear and you exclude him or her from the family heritage. There are things, then, that it is hard to lose, but in God’s sight it may be good to lose them. We grow more loving, more sympathetic, and more kind; life is fuller and richer and warmer than it once was. We were very superior and exclusive once, and the common people were odiously common—but some time later the brook dried up. (from Wings of the Morning - online) George H. Morrison - Some time later the brook dried up. —1 Kings 17:7 Elijah was taught by this event that in certain matters God makes no exceptions.7 God has his chosen ones, but whatever they are chosen for, it is not to escape the heritage of tears. Now to be a prophet was a lofty calling. Therefore it was reasonable to expect that [Elijah] would have a little special care and would be guarded, as the favorite of God, from some of the ills that flesh is heir to. I have no doubt that Elijah had such thoughts. I believe indeed that they never wholly left him. God, when he dried up the waters of the Cherith, was teaching him how false it was to count on any exception as his right. Elijah had to learn that though he was God’s messenger, he was not going to escape the common lot. Called with a heavenly calling in Christ Jesus, he had to suffer some things like the vilest reprobate. Now that is a lesson we do well to learn, that in certain matters there are no exceptions. I had a visit from a friend the other day who was brokenhearted in unexpected grief. A little rivulet of life had made his meadow beautiful, when suddenly its music was no more. And “Oh,” he said to me, “if I had been wicked—if I had been a rebel against God, I might have understood it, but it is hard to be dealt with thus when I have striven to serve him and tried to be true to him in home and business.” At the heart of his so bitter grief there was a thought that is common to us all. My friend was like Elijah at his stream, saying, “I am a prophet and it can never dry.” And one of the hardest lessons we must learn is that the name and nature of our God is love, yet for the person who trusts and serves him best, there is to be no exception from the scourge. (from Wings of the Morning - online) George H. Morrison - Some time later the brook dried up. —1 Kings 17:7 The deepest lesson of the story is that the ceasing of the prophet’s brook was the beginning of larger views of God. There is a faith that runs through the green fields of childhood, making everything it laps on fresh and beautiful. Yet while some never lose that faith, living in its gladness until the end, for most of us, some time later the brook dries up. There may be moral causes at the back of that. A vast deal of doubt runs down to moral grounds. But if we are earnest and truthful and if we trust and pray, there is nothing to sigh for in the failing brook. For the God whom we find again through many a struggle and the faith that we make ours by many a battle and the things that we wrestle for until break of day—although we may go limping ever after—these are our own for time and for eternity, and neither life nor death can take them from us. And then there are the blessings we enjoy—our health, our prosperity, the love of those who love us. There are many people who never lose these blessings, moving beside still waters to the end. But there are others with whom it is not so. They have suffered terribly or had sharp and sore reverses. There was a day when they had everything they wanted, but it came to pass some time later that the brook dried up. I will not comfort them by any platitudes. I will only ask them, Has not God been nearer—has not religion been more to them since then? And if it has taken the failing of the stream to cast them utterly on the arm of God, if they have risen from an empty brook to drink of an ocean that is ever full—perhaps it was not in anger but in love that the waters ceased to be musical at Cherith. (from Wings of the Morning - online) Streams in the Desert - “It came to pass after a while, that the brook dried up, because there had been no rain in the land.” (1 Kings 17:7.) WEEK after week, with unfaltering and steadfast spirit, Elijah watched that dwindling brook; often tempted to stagger through unbelief, but refusing to allow his circumstances to come between himself and God. Unbelief sees God through circumstances, as we sometimes see the sun shorn of his rays through smoky air; but faith puts God between itself and circumstances, and looks at them through Him. And so the dwindling brook became a silver thread; and the silver thread stood presently in pools at the foot of the largest boulders; and the pools shrank. The birds fled; the wild creatures of field and forest came no more to drink; the brook was dry. Only then to his patient and unwavering spirit, “the word of the Lord came, saying, Arise, get thee to Zarephath.” Most of us would have gotten anxious and worn with planning long before that. We should have ceased our songs as soon as the streamlet caroled less musically over its rocky bed; and with harps swinging on the willows, we should have paced to and fro upon the withering grass, lost in pensive thought. And probably, long ere the brook was dry, we should have devised some plan, and asking God’s blessing on it, would have started off elsewhere. God often does extricate us, because His mercy endureth forever; but if we had only waited first to see the unfolding of His plans, we should never have found ourselves landed in such an inextricable labyrinth; and we should never have been compelled to retrace our steps with so many tears of shame. Wait, patiently wait!—F. B. Meyer. Faith Amid Famine By Rev. Todd M. Kinde Scripture: 1 Kings 17:7–24, especially v. 24 Now by this I know that you are a man of God, and that the word of the LORD in your mouth is the truth. (NKJV) Introduction: This morning we are going to be learning quite an object lesson through a bin of flour and a jar of oil. I realize that talking about flour, oil, bread, and food can make your mouth water. I hope today we all came into this building hungry—at least spiritually hungry. Do you have a financial problem? Are your relationships hurting? Do you need a fresh encounter with the Lord? Jesus said, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst” (John 6:35 NKJV). 1. A Parchedness of Faith (1 Ki 17:7–9). The Word of the Lord came to Elijah instructing him to go to the town of Zarephath where a widow would supply him with food. The drought was an object lesson of the dryness of the nation’s relationship with God (cf. Amos 8 and Ps. 42). Now that the brook had run dry, the Lord placed Elijah in Zarephath, a suburb of the capital city where the wicked Jezebel’s father was king! 2. A Preview of Faith (1 Ki 17:10–15a). In Zarephath, Elijah found a certain widow. Elijah and asked for a flask of water. He tested her willingness and obedience. When she agreed, Elijah added a request for bread. She told Elijah she had only enough for her and her son to have a last meal before starvation. Most of us would have reacted harshly, but this woman said, “As surely as the Lord your God lives …” She knew Yahweh was the Living God, but He was not her God (“your God lives”). The gentle hand of God was leading her into progressive faith. Elijah said, “Can I have a drink? Can I have a slice of bread? Make me a pancake.” As we respond to God’s Word with trusting obedience in each step, so He will lead us to greater understanding of Himself and the blessing of His promise of salvation. 3. A Provision of Faith (1 Ki 17:15b, 16). It’s safe to assume that neither the flour jar nor the oil jug were large. At the end of each day, her jug and jar looked to be just as nearly empty as they did that first evening when she met Elijah. God gave her and Elijah only their daily bread (Matt. 6:11). Faith is progressive, not a one-time commitment. Elijah and the widow did not respond with faith just once and then receive a warehouse full of flour and oil. At the end of each day, they had to acknowledge their complete dependence upon the Lord and trust Him for enough grace for the next day (see Lam. 3:22, 23). 4. A Prayer of Faith (1 Ki 17:17–23). We don’t know how long this way of life continued, but some time later the son of the woman became ill and died. Then her faith was tested in a new dimension. The woman faced death yet again, saying to Elijah, “What have I to do with you, Oman of God? Have you come to me to bring my sin to remembrance, and to kill my son?” (v. 18). Did not God promise life when He gave the promise of food? On the basis of the promise of God’s Word, Elijah prayed to the Lord to revive the boy. We should pray with such awareness of the Word of the Lord that our prayers are built on the foundation of God’s promises. 5. A Profession of Faith (1 Ki 17:24). The woman’s response was a deeper and more personal profession of faith in the one true living God. She understood that there was more to this than simply the death of her son’s body. It had to do with her sinfulness and spiritual death. Her confession is seen in verse 24. She comprehends the truth. God’s Word can be trusted beyond doubt. You can trust the Word of the Lord for all your needs in life and death. Conclusion: We don’t live by bread alone but by every word that comes from the mouth of God (Deut. 8:3). Do not seek to satisfy the longing of your soul with bread, but trust the Lord of life who gives living water and the Bread of Life. Cling to the Cross of Christ. Through it you have the forgiveness of sin and the promise of life eternal. May we say, “Now we know that the Word of the Lord is the truth” and make that truth into a living faith. (From Preacher's Sourcebook 2005) When Momma Ain’t Happy Pastor Al Detter Scripture: 1 Kings 17:7–24, especially from verse 24 … by this I know that you are a man of God, and that the word of the LORD in your mouth is the truth. Introduction: Little cute creatures called babies make some ladies mothers. When you look at little babies, you could almost get the idea that being a mother is the easiest, happiest, most exciting job in the world. The truth is—being a mother may be the most demanding, self-sacrificing, draining, unrelenting, and thankless job in the world. No one can deny the joys that motherhood brings to a woman. But there are a lot of difficult times that come with being a mom, some downright unhappy moments. Let me introduce you to a mother who wasn’t too happy. She is known as “the widow of Zarephath.” 1. What Makes Momma Unhappy (vv. 8–18). God’s judgment had fallen upon Israel due to their idolatry. Elijah was God’s prophet during this time and had proclaimed God’s judgment, which was evidenced by a great famine in the land. Amidst this context, we find a mother from whom we can learn a great deal. What makes mothers unhappy? A. Loss of Her Spouse (vv. 9–10). We learn that this woman in Zarephath was a widow, with whom Elijah was to stay during the famine. B. Loss of Her Support (v. 12). Elijah asked for a tiny bit of bread, but the widow had nothing left to offer. In fact, she was planning a last meal for her son and herself, having accepted the coming of death. God provided food to keep them alive, but one final blow awaited this unhappy mother. C. Loss of Her Son (vv. 17–18). After all the hardship endured, this mother saw her son get sick and die. 2. What Makes Momma Happy (vv. 19–24). Elijah takes the widow’s son and begs the Lord to resurrect the boy. After three times of intense and physical prayer, the boy was raised to life! Notice the response of the woman when she experienced not only a restoration of happiness, but a confirmation that God was responsible and sovereign over her circumstances: “… by this I know that you are a man of God, and that the word of the LORD in your mouth is the truth” (v. 24). 3. Lessons for Momma (and all of us) When We’re Unhappy. This text has some important application to all of us today when we experience unhappy circumstances: A. Life Has a Way of Disturbing Our Happiness. Like the widow, I wonder how many unhappy mothers are here today. Perhaps you’ve lost a spouse or a child. Maybe you’re not a mother, but you are intensely unhappy with life. We have to remember that trials will come, but if we endure, God will strengthen and reward us (James 1:2–8). B. God Is at Work in Ways We May Not Know or Understand. The widow had no idea a prophet would save her life and her son’s when he came to her. No matter what life may look like, we have to remember God is at work: (1) Crafting Change in Us. God allows things to break into our lives that disturb us, but He will remake us! (2) Preparing a Connection Between People. Elijah and the widow were living separate lives, but God ordained that they be brought together to teach them both about Himself. (3) Empowering Us to Make a Contribution. The widow provided food for Elijah and Elijah saved the life of the widow’s son! Everyone involved in trials can make a contribution to the Lord’s work: a little flour saved a prophet’s life! C. Obey God Despite the Circumstances. It seemed foolish for Elijah to stay with a non-Jewish widow, but he obeyed as did she. No matter what we think is best, we must obey the Lord. D. Don’t Blame God for the Losses We Experience. When her son died, the widow immediately blamed Elijah. Elijah had nothing to do with his death. Jesus tells us that we will encounter problems in life (John 16:33). E. God Is Faithful Regardless of the Circumstances. When the widow’s son was resurrected, she was as happy as could be! How many of you are dealing with a wayward child or a divorce? God can turn things around! Conclusion: Momma can’t be at her peak if she’s always happy—and neither can the rest of us. It’s in the midst of life’s searing circumstances that we make our deepest connection with God. Hang on to the lessons we spoke about today and let them be anchors for your soul. (From Preacher's Sourcebook 2008) 1 Kings 17:8 Then the word of the LORD came to him, saying, the word: 1Ki 17:2 Ge 22:14 Isa 41:17 Heb 13:6 1 Kings 17 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries IN THE MIDST OF THE TRIAL GOD SPEAKS TO ELIJAH Then (time phrase marking progression) the word of the LORD came to him, saying - It is interesting that even though faced by a "no water" situation, Elijah does not grumble like the children of Israel did in the wilderness (Exodus 17:1-7+).