Jan 24 – ZAREPHATH BELONGING TO SIDON!

“Arise, go to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon and dwell there. See, I have commanded a widow there to provide for you” (I Kings 17:9).

The way God provides is surprising, and His guidance is wonderful. You will never face shortfalls when you pay heed to His truth. He is one to make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.

God looked at Elijah and said, “Arise, go to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon.” Do you know, who the native of this town Sidon is? It is Jezebel who wanted to behead Elijah. The Scripture says that Jezebel is the daughter of Ethbaal, the King of Sidon (I Kings 16:31). It was a nation full of Baal worship and one which hated the prophets of God. God sent Elijah to that sort of place.

At times, God may send you as sheep amid wolves. You may even have to enter the den of the lions. Even at those times, you need not worry. The King of the Jews who is a lion stays with you.

This Sidon was the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Asher. Joshua gave Sidon to the tribe of the children of Asher as their share (Joshua 19:28). What was the blessing of Asher? It was rich in oil resources. In Deuteronomy 33:24, we read that Asher will dip his foot in oil.

Indeed, that widow of Zarephath was residing in a place rich in oil resources. But she possessed only a little quantity of oil in her container. Though living in an oil-rich nation, she did not have sufficient oil.

Today, many people live in places where blessings are available and where the oil of anointment is poured. Despite this, there is no blessing, no anointment and no oil in their lives. Though uninterrupted supply of water may flow in the falls of Courtalam no water could enter a closed bottle. In the same way, if the heart is not open, even if a rain of blessings pours down, not a single drop of it enters life.

Dear children of God, unopened rooms may be there in your life. Open every one of them now. Since God is with you, miracles will keep happening in the whole of your lifetime.      

To meditate: “…gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all” (Ephesians 1:22, 23).