“My God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:19 NASB
“Son, I’m going out to gather some sticks so that I can prepare our last meal.”
“Okay, mom. Do you need any help?”
“Not at the moment, but thank you,” the widow of Zarephath replied.
Sticks were easy to find in the drought-ridden land just south of Queen Jezebel’s hometown in Phoenicia. Everything had dried up and become brittle. Even though the destitute woman had lost her husband, she still had a son. However, he was not yet of an age to support her.
As she gathered the kindling, she saw a man in the periphery of her view. He called out to her: “Please bring me a little water in a cup, that I may drink.”1
Even though she believed in the living God, she whispered to herself: “Water? Where am I to get water?” Nevertheless, she knew where she could get a skimpy cup of the precious fluid.
On her way to get it, he called to her again: “Please bring me a morsel of bread in your hand.”2
Stopping in her path to fetch the water, she turned to face the man making such a high demand. “As the Lord your God lives, I have no food, only a handful of flour in the bowl and a little oil in the jar; and behold, I am gathering a few sticks so that I may go in and prepare it for me and my son, so that we may eat it and die.”3
There, she finally articulated the burden of her heart. She believed in God, but she had so little that she knew the outcome of not eating; yet, this stranger—well, he seemed different from most. Could she really trust him?
Then he informed her: “Do not fear; go and do as you have said, but make me a small cake from it first, and bring it to me; and afterward make some for yourself and your son.”4
Didn’t he understand? She didn’t have enough for three people. Only two. Wait! His next announcement stirred hope in her soul: “For thus says the Lord God of Israel: ‘The bin of flour shall not be used up, nor shall the jar of oil run dry, until the day the Lord sends rain on the earth.’”5
No greater test of faith than this could have been required. The widow had hitherto treated all strangers with kindness and liberality. Now, regardless of the suffering that might result to herself and child, and trusting in the God of Israel to supply her every need, she met this supreme test of hospitality.6
During the ensuing days, weeks, and months of no rain to water the earth, God’s word, through his prophet Elijah, did not fail. While trials still plagued their lives, they always had just enough food to sustain their need until the rains fell again.
Even in our day, all these centuries later, God still fills the empty necessities. When things become completely depleted, God still works miracles. For example, a woman named Kirsten7 fell into a river, and her guardian angel rescued her and a dog from nearly drowning. In that event, she witnessed God’s sovereignty firsthand. She knew God had proven Himself and called her into service, so she turned over her life to Him. In due course, God worked another miracle for her, revealing even more of His power.
Kirsten decided to drive back to her Michigan home from California. She knew she needed to make some changes in her life and get away from the environment that drew her into a worldly lifestyle. After packing up, she climbed into her little Volkswagen and headed east.
Car Driving on Empty
Her father had given her some sermon tapes that she played while driving. She loved listening to the preaching and the Bible verses that illustrated the sermons. She left California and passed through Nevada into Utah. She became so engrossed in the messages that she let the gas gauge fall close to the bottom—the big E.
Just before she dropped to empty, she realized, “Well, it looks like I better get some gas.”
Late at night, about 10:00 or 11:00, she saw a gas station at an exit just a few miles ahead. She took the exit and found the place, but it was dark. A sign noted they had a family emergency and were closed.
She returned to the freeway, thinking, “Well, there's probably another station up there in a bit.”
When she pulled back on the highway, a sign indicated the next gas service was 90 miles ahead. This was too far for her to make it on empty, but she had no choice, so she kept driving. She was alone in the dark of night, so she began to pray. She listened to those sermons, praying. A short time later, the red light near the big E began to flash. Her gas tank was nearly empty.
“Well, Lord, You just have to help me.”
An hour passed, praying and listening to the tapes. The car still ran despite the lack of gas. Midnight came; she just kept driving. Soon, the gas gauge registered that the tank was void of fuel. The light that had flickered for a long time now had a steady beam. She drove and drove, listening to God’s messages.
She prayed continuously, begging for God’s rescue. As she crested a hill, a long way into the distance, she saw some lights. She said to herself: “Maybe I can get there.”
She pleaded, and prayed, and listened. Then she saw the sign for the “Little America Travel Center.” There's nothing little about Little America. Out in the middle of nowhere, it has dozens of pumps for all kinds of travelers: truckers, vacationers, and people just passing through.
Kirsten drove up the exit ramp and turned left to cross the freeway. As she passed over the interstate, the car quit running. She coasted down and stopped at the pump. Her heart swelled with warmth for God as she filled the tank with gas, knowing God was by her side the entire way.
When Kirsten arrived in Michigan, she allowed God to make incredible changes in her life. In due course, she married a godly man. Jesus is still her best friend.
Call to Action
Have
you ever had an experience where a guardian angel protected or helped you when
you asked Jesus for help? As you walk life’s pathways, you may encounter some
trouble or see turmoil ahead. If so, bow your head and ask Jesus to send special
guardian angels to help you, even if that means putting gas in your car.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman \ Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. www.lockman.org
- 1 Kings 17:10. Scripture taken from the New King James Version® (NKJV). Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
- Ibid., 1 Kings 17:11.
- 1 Kings 17:12 NASB.
- 1 Kings 17:13 NKJV.
- Ibid., 1 Kings 17:14.
- Ellen G. White, Prophets and Kings (Mountain View, California: Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1917), 130.
- A pseudonym.
