Scripture: 1 Kings 17:8–16
Song: Try a little kindness
Many people pray for another level of help while ignoring the opportunities God has already given them to become help to others. Pain has made them unavailable; fear has made them selfish; and lack of necessities of life has made them hold tightly to the little they have. Yet in God’s kingdom, help is not meant to stop with you. Sometimes, the next help you are praying for is connected to the help God is asking you to give.
In 1 Kings 17:8–16, the widow of Zarephath was preparing her last meal when Elijah asked her for food. It looked unreasonable, yet the next season of help in her life was connected to the help she was willing to release. Many people would have closed their hands in fear. But the widow obeyed, and the moment she released what she had, heaven sustained what remained. The flour did not finish, and the oil did not fail. Also, the boy with five loaves and two fish could have held tightly to it for himself, but what he surrendered became the substance God multiplied (John 6:1–13).
Sometimes people become so consumed with what they lack that they stop seeing where God wants them to become a blessing. They keep asking, “What if I don’t find help?” while ignoring the fact that God is watching what flows through their hands. Some people want support but never support others. They want favor but refuse to stand for anyone. They want open doors but keep shutting doors around them.
Yet many times, God watches what flows through your hand before He releases more into it. This does not mean people should help others just to trigger blessings. That will be selfishness wearing a spiritual face. The issue, therefore, is the posture of the heart; a man truly touched by God should not become hard, closed, and unavailable to others. Your next help may be connected to somebody else’s relief. Your next season may be tied to an instruction to release, support, encourage, stand for, or bless someone else.
God did not create you to be a reservoir that only receives. He blesses men so they can become channels of blessings to others.
Prayer:
Lord, teach me to remain open, generous, and obedient even in difficult seasons. Make me a channel through which others can encounter Your help. Amen.
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