How Much Is Enough?

          How Much Evidence is Enough??

As I was reading from 1 Kings 17:6-24 I was shocked by the statement made by the widow who Elijah was sent to be with after prophesying to King Ahab that there would be  "no rain for 3 years." "Now I know...."

My amazement comes as a result of the previous verses which tell us that she was prepared to die because she had "just enough" food for one more meal for both she and her son.  Once Elijah crossed her path, he told her to prepare HIM a meal FIRST and then she and her son could have their meal.  But, then Elijah tells her:  "There will always be flour and olive oil left in your containers until the time when the Lord sends rain and the crops grow again.  Everything Elijah said happened just as he had prophesied."

Later this widow's son became sick and eventually died!!!  She spoke to Elijah, "O man of God, what have you done to me?  Have you come here to point out my sins and kill my son?" Elijah responded and placed his body on the boys body three times while CRYING OUT to the Lord and it is written, "The Lord heard Elijah's prayer."

When he brought the revived boy to his Mother, this is where I reacted with dismay because her response was:  ""Now I know for sure that you are a man of God, and that the Lord speaks through you."  Had she been doubting the daily provision of meal and oil as time slowly ticked by before the rain came again?

It causes me to wonder how much "evidence" of God's intervention into our lives is ENOUGH???  She would have died, along with her son, had it not been for the presence of Elijah carrying the anointing from God that allowed them ALL to eat for as long as the famine lasted!  

This passage of scripture has revealed to me, that much of what God does for us is "forgotten" in times of testing.  If we think at all, we should realize GOD CAN, but we waver and doubt that HE WILL!  I am reminded of the New Testament passage where the man said to the Lord, "I believe.  Help me with my unbelief."

When we realize how faithfully God is caring for us daily (giving us our DAILY bread), let's encourage each other to remember HE wants to meet us, even should we face "death."  And I don't refer simply to the promise of HEAVEN...I mean right here on earth.,  

I know that we all may have different degrees of faith and yet the more we exercise our faith, the stronger it becomes.  God is NOT just ABLE, but also, willing.  If we have faith as small as a mustard seed, we can move a mountain!!!!  Wow...we have probably not even begun to know the extent of his loving concern even though HE died for us to have the "benefits" he wishes us to enjoy.  Psalm 103 enumerates many of the blessings He provides: 103:2b - May I never forget the good things He does for me.  3) He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases. 4) He redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies. 5) He fills my life with good things.  My youth is renewed like the eagle's!

Even at age 85 Caleb was asking for a mountain to conquer and live on!  Joshua and he were only 2 out of 10 who exhibited their faith by speaking of God's promise to acquire the promised land.  I know that "out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh," and we need to speak what we truly believe and desire and not give the devil a foothold.  I pray God will help me with my "unbelief."  May He help you, as well!