Little Thinking
Today’s Verse:
And she said, As the LORD thy God liveth, I have not a cake, but an handful of meal in a barrel, and a little oil in a cruse: and, behold, I am gathering two sticks, that I may go in and dress it for me and my son, that we may eat it, and die. ~1 Kings 17:12
Are you someone who thinks big or little? How we see and envision things determines our attitude, our approach to challenges, and the magnitude of our accomplishments. This morning, we see a passage of Scripture dealing with a woman who was characterized by little thinking.
We see the perception.
This woman was a widow trying to make the most of her circumstances during a dearth and famine in the land. God commanded her to sustain the prophet Elijah. When he arrived at Zarephath, Elijah asked her to bring him a little water in a vessel and morsel of bread to eat. She scornfully told him, “As the LORD thy God liveth, I have not a cake, but an handful of meal in a barrel, and a little oil in a cruse: and, behold, I am gathering two sticks, that I may go in and dress it for me and my son, that we may eat it, and die.” Little thinking reacts by saying, “I have not.” "Have not" thinking looks not at how we can make the most of what we have, but at how we do not have enough compared to someone else. Her perception was that she was unable to sustain Elijah, even though God commanded her to do so. She had a negative, faithless, and discouraging perception.
We see the problem.
This woman pictures little thinking. Little thinking has little to no faith in God. Little thinking can change a room filled with light into a room overpowered by darkness. Little thinking pours cold water on the fires of evangelism. Little thinking says that God is not real and that He is unable to perform. Little thinking kills vision. Little thinking is death to a life or ministry. She said, “I may go in and dress it for me and my son, that we may eat it, and die.” With little thinking, there is no victory over sin. With little thinking, there is no praying for God to do the impossible. With little thinking, every problem is bigger than God. With little thinking, a person would rather die than see what God is able to do.
We see the priority.
“And Elijah said unto her, Fear not; go and do as thou hast said: but make me thereof a little cake first, and bring it unto me, and after make for thee and for thy son.” Elijah gave her a word of comfort. If we are possessed with little thinking, we need to pause and fear not. Don’t let what you think you don’t have affect you. Instead, rest in the fact that God is in control. Elijah gave her a command. He told her to go forward in making the cake that he asked her for, but to make it for him first. In other words, go forward with your duties and what you are commanded to do, but put God first. Put God first. Give Him the first part of the day, the first tenth of your increase, and the first of your efforts. Do it for Him before you do anything for yourself.
We see the promise.
“For thus saith the LORD God of Israel, The barrel of meal shall not waste, neither shall the cruse of oil fail, until the day that the LORD sendeth rain upon the earth.” God said that He would take care of her, Elijah, and her household. God corrects our thinking by reminding us that He loves us and that He will not leave His seed begging bread. She was able to sustain Elijah and her household because God would not let her meal waste nor her oil fail. When God gives you a challenge, don’t tell Him that you have not. Submit to His goodness and respond, “Such as I have give I thee.” Little thinking does not have to be fatal: it can be transformed into great faith!
Have a faith-inspired God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: Genesis 48-50