Did You Get the Memo?

I Kings 17:8-16



One of the greatest mistakes I have ever made was believing God would not help me out of my troubles. I recall a time in my life when I was faced with multiple trials. It seemed as if Murphy's Law was in full effect. As a matter of fact, everything that could go wrong was going wrong! This went on for a number of years, which caused me to believe God had forgotten about me. I was drowning in discouragement with (seemingly) no one there to throw me a lifeline. Convinced there was no plan for God to deliver me I set out to fix things on my own. I learned later God always has a plan to deliver his people!



In I Kings Chapter 17:12 we find a widow who had become discouraged. She must have thought there was no way out her current situation. I would imagine she felt like God had forgotten about her. This poor woman believed she had reached the end of her rope. I'm sure many of you reading this article can relate. The Prophet Elijah finds her gathering sticks and preparing what she believed would be her her last meal. She tells Elijah she was planning to share her last meal with her son and after doing so she was preparing to die. Not only had discouragement caused her to distrust God, it had forced her to embrace premature death. She was convinced it was her day to die; albeit God's plan was for her to live.


Long before she concluded this was the day she would die and even before she was down to her last meal God had already sent a word to Elijah concerning her future. God told Elijah to go to Zarephath, "behold I have commanded a widow woman there to sustain thee". This came straight from the mouth of God. In the midst of her giving up on her dreams, aspirations, and life itself God was writing a memo to the Prophet Elijah telling her to live! This thing came straight from the desk of God. Did she not get the memo? Why is she preparing to die when God has commanded her to live? Her life had purpose. She was assigned to keep the Prophet Elijah alive. After God was done with the raven and after the brook dried up God chose her to sustain his servant. What do you mean you are preparing to die?



It is at our lowest point God reveals to us our purpose to keep us alive. Being a blessing and serving others in our time of need gives us a sense of purpose and often helps us to gain the strength we need to stay alive. I find it amazing that this woman could be on the mind of God while she was yet preparing to die. I can imagine Elijah walking up to her asking...huh? Excuse me, but did you get the memo? You can't die! God said you have what I need to stay alive.



Are you facing discouragement today? Does it seem like God has forgotten about you? Perhaps like this woman you are preparing to die. Let me encourage you before you call the undertaker to check your inbox instead. Your inbox is that place you possess within to know the will of God for your life. It is there you will find a memo from God telling you to live. In fact, this article just did!


In His Name,



Rev. Melva