ESOCS Devotional 19 May 2022
TEXT:1 KINGS 17:18-24
MEMORY VERSE: “Elijah said to her, ‘Don’t be afraid. Go home and do as you have said. But first make a small cake of bread for mefrom what you have and bring it to me, and then make something for yourself and your son”’ 1 Kings 17:13 NIV
0 And the apostles, when they had returned, told Him all that they had done. Then He took them and went aside privately into a deserted place belonging to the city called Bethsaida. 11 But when the multitudes knew it, they followed Him; and He received them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who had need of healing. 12 When the day began to wear away, the twelve came and said to Him, “Send the multitude away, that they may go into the surrounding towns and country, and lodge and get provisions; for we are in a deserted lace ”
Sacrificial services, either to neighbours or total strangers, are highly to be embraced in Christianity. Jesus approvingly commended the Good Samaritan for his selfless sacrifice to save the life of a victim of armed robbery (Luke 10:30-37). In Genesis 18:10, following Abraham’s selfless service to total strangers, He ended up entertaining heavenly beings. That gesture was rewarded with the birth of Isaac.
In our text today, the honour and selfless service done to the man of God by the widow of Zarephath, saved her familyfrom starvation during the years of drought in the land. Clearly, it is important to note that the widow could only have acted in faith. In her state of extreme poverty, she willingly served the man of God first, before her family interest. It is not likely that she had any hope of recovering from her poor condition. She only acted as a willing believer. It was adisplay of total respect and worship to God.
Like the widow’s mite of Mark 12:42, the widow of Zarephath gave out all she had to advance the course of theKingdom. She was blessed abundantly. The God of multiplication visited her (Matt. 14:13-21; 15:32-39).
So, child of God, learn to render selfless services both to God and to man. Don’t wait for the millions to flow beforeyou give. Don’t wait for total comfort before you render help to others in need. The Lord will surely bless you richly, ashe did to the widow of Zarephath.
- You are saving up for your children’s school fees for the next academic session, having paid up for the currentsession. A neighbour’s poor child, who had been denied writing his final examinations came crying to you. Whatwould you do in this case?
- My God, My Father, in John 3:16, you gave out your only Son for me. Please grant me the grace to serve othersover and above my self-interest.
Read Other ESOCS Devotional here
FURTHER READING: Micah 7:7-20; Mark 9:14-49; John 21:20-25
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ESOCS Devotional 19 May 2022
