A Widow’s Joy

1 Kings 17:7–24

This section from the book of First Kings tells us about the prophet Elijah. God told him to go to Zarephath, where he lived with a widow. Miraculously, her food and water never ran out while Elijah was there. But things got complicated when her son got sick and died. She was upset and questioned Elijah, who then took her son away. This story helps us understand better how different religions and spiritual beliefs can confuse us about who God really is and how we should serve Him.

1. How can you tell the real God from fake ones?

In Elijah’s story, we see that the real God is often unexpected and challenges what society thinks is normal. This God offers us salvation because of His kindness, not because we’ve earned it. He wants us to admit our mistakes to fully experience His love. It’s important to know the difference between a living God and a false idol. And we need to be open to a God who can surprise and challenge us. Jesus is the perfect example of this kind of God, full of both grace and truth.

2. How can you serve the real God?

As seen in Elijah’s life, we need to have humility and hope in our lives. We often learn about God in surprising ways, just like Elijah did when he met a foreign woman. This shows us that we can grow and find forgiveness in unexpected places. It’s not enough to just hear what Jesus says, we need to live out a life full of love, joy, and peace, always seeking to know the real God in every part of our lives.