Flour, Oil, and a Dried-up Brook

By: Scott Armstrong

Reading: 1 Kings 17:7-16

Key Verse: “Go at once to Zarephath in the region of Sidon and stay there. I have directed a widow there to supply you with food” (1 Kings 17:9).

In a great time of need, God came through.  He led Elijah to a flowing brook with fresh water, where he drank and replenished himself regularly for several months.

And then the brook dried up (v. 7).

Victor had been a businessman for twenty-nine years. He had seen God come through time and again. But recently he had been laid off from his job, and his family was barely making it month to month.

In the past fifteen years, Jennifer and Jorge had finally seen their entire family come to know the Lord.  Except their 19-year-old daughter.  Every time there seemed to be progress with her mental illness, significant setbacks had followed.  And now their precious girl had attempted suicide just days ago, unsuccessfully, but still…

As a member all of her life, Pamela loved the life of the church.  Sunday School teacher, missions coordinator, you name it: she was happy to serve.  But since she had been diagnosed with cancer, everything had changed. All her money and her strength had been spent.

What do you do when the brook dries up?

Just as God has been faithful in the past, he will come through now.  A jar of flour and oil await.  The brook may no longer have water, but God’s provision will never run dry.