The Widow Of Zarephath II, conclusion

What a scene of joy in I Kings 17!
At the end of this chapter the widow is hugging her son, alive again!
You know, some people might think that their lives were not very important. After all, they are not mentioned again in the Bible.

Centuries later, another resurrection would occur. It would be three days after His death that Christ would rise and leave the borrowed tomb.

In the days of Christ, as in Elijah's time, unbelief abounded. In fact, the unbelief of the Jewish people was so great that Christ had his apostles turn their attention to the Gentiles, and include them in their outreach. There have been billions of people saved, and that is proof of the Gentiles being grafted into the tree of God's family.

In our day, unbelief is still horribly rampant. Sin and wickedness abound, and few think of the consequences of their actions. But the God of Elijah lives still!

He's just as powerful today, as He was on the day that He raised the widow's son from the dead. And He is still saving folks who are "dead" in their sins and trespasses. He is still in the business of saving lives.

Now there have been many of those priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office; 24 but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. 25 Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them. (Hebrews 7:23-25)

What should we take away from our studies this week? I see three things here; I hope if you see more, you will leave a comment and help us all to "get" all the spiritual food that we can from this passage!

The first thing we see is that God loves for believers to trust Him enough to pray, expecting Him to work. Sometimes we pray, then believe, then receive, but sometimes when we have to do without, doubt creeps in.  In the widow's situation, God knew the pain she was in. He knows what it is like to lose children -- He lost His Son to death until the resurrection day. God knows how that hurts. He walked with her in the valley of death, even if for a few moments, she didn't "feel" Him there. The God Who loves us all is the same God Who listens to our prayers, and oh, the joy He feels when He knows we are trusting Him to work in our lives!

The second thing we can see here is that God also loves for people to be saved. After all, He sent His son to die in our stead.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16)

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. (II Peter 3:9)

God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. (II Corinthians 5:21)

The third thing is that God loves it when we are involved; He wants all of us to be prayer warriors, and to put hands and feet to our prayers.

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. (James 1:22)

I was so happy when my grown kiddo was moved to action when she heard of a situation that she could help. As our Father, God is happy when we do that, too! Let's be "doers" and not just hearers!