The story of Elijah and the Widow of Zarephath is very familiar, as it occurs in the lectionary every year (Trinity 15 and 16). Today’s OT reading in the TDP (1 Kings 16:29–17:24) cast a different light on that story for me this morning. Before Elijah goes to the Widow of Zarephath and asks her for water and bread, Elijah had been in hiding by the brook Cherith. During the divinely-imposed drought, Elijah received his water from the brook, and food was brought to him by ravens each morning and evening. As the ancient Israelites received their manna at the appointed time, so Elijah received his food. In all of this, they were learning through experience the petition, “Give us this day our daily bread.”
And now, the water from the brook has dried up. When Elijah goes to the Widow of Zarephath, she is not the only one who exercises the obedience of faith. So does Elijah. Neither he nor she can see where their next meal or drink is coming from. The only thing they have is the Word of God – she mediately, he immediately. And day by day the LORD supplied what they needed for today.
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Through many, daily situations of frustration (just short of despair) I remind myself and my family–we receive what we need, when we need it. God will provide.
I have long been comforted by the connection of manna and our Lord's reference to daily bread, Old Testament bread and New Testament bread. Neither deserved, both given freely and both keep us focused on today. It is interesting that those who tried to save manna for the future (whether out of greed or for a rainy day) had nothing the following day–it rotted. Bread is so…daily.
Daily is all we have to worry about. Jesus said so.