A Handful of Flour

Read 1 Kings 17:7-16

But Elijah said to her, "Don't be afraid! Go ahead and cook that 'last meal,' but bake me a little loaf of bread first; and afterwards there will still be enough food for you and your son. For the Lord God of Israel says that there will always be plenty of flour and oil left in your containers until the time when the Lord sends rain, and the crops grow again!"

So she did as Elijah said, and she and Elijah and her son continued to eat from her supply of flour and oil as long as it was needed. For no matter how much they used, there was always plenty left in the containers, just as the Lord had promised through Elijah! 1 Kings 13-16 (TLB)

Gloria W. Sinaga lives in Jakarta, Indonesia. The COVID-19 pandemic has greatly affected the financial security of Gloria's family, and she worries about their future. Her worries fill her thoughts, drain her energy, and affect her spiritual life. Yet she has tried to do everything in her power to find additional income for them, including taking orders for baked goods.

One afternoon, while Gloria was in her kitchen carefully measuring ingredients for an order of cookies, she made a connection to scripture that she never had before. The widow at Zarephath also understood the experience of careful measuring. All she had was a handful of flour and a little oil - enough for one last loaf of bread for her and her son. When Elijah asked her to give him this last meal, her faith and obedience to God were tested. She trusted God, and God worked a miracle, allowing everyone to be fed.

When we feel trapped by our circumstances and certain that what we have will not be enough, God can work miracles. Today's scripture story strengthens Gloria to continue using what little she has, trusting that with God's help it will be enough to take care of her family.

Prayer: God who preserves our lives, teach us and guide us every day so that we will continue to feel the miracle of your care, in Jesus' name. Amen.