A Daily Devotion for Tuesday, September 1
- ontrakk
- 12 hours ago
- 2 min read
1 Kings 17:7-16
Some time later the brook dried up because there had been no rain in the land. Then the word of the LORD came to him: “Go at once to Zarephath in the region of Sidon and stay there. I have directed a widow there to supply you with food.” So he went to Zarephath. When he came to the town gate, a widow was there gathering sticks. He called to her and asked, “Would you bring me a little water in a jar so I may have a drink?” As she was going to get it, he called, “And bring me, please, a piece of bread.”
“As surely as the LORD your God lives,” she replied, “I don’t have any bread—only a handful of flour in a jar and a little olive oil in a jug. I am gathering a few sticks to take home and make a meal for myself and my son, that we may eat it—and die.”
Elijah said to her, “Don’t be afraid. Go home and do as you have said. But first make a small loaf of bread for me from what you have and bring it to me, and then make something for yourself and your son. For this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the LORD sends rain on the land.’”
She went away and did as Elijah had told her. So there was food every day for Elijah and for the woman and her family. For the jar of flour was not used up and the jug of oil did not run dry, in keeping with the word of the LORD spoken by Elijah.
Luke 6:38
“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
We have talked about generosity and gracious acceptance of gifts many times in our Transformers group. The writer of today’s UR devotion recognized the importance of being willing to accept gifts from others, as this blesses the giver. In the story from IKings, the widow is asked to give some bread, but she reports to Elijah that she has no bread at all, only a tiny bit of flour and olive oil. She is reassured by Elijah’s words from God. God’s word holds true, and she has as much flour and oil as she needs. I have always had the luxury of giving from abundance. I have not been down to my last crust of bread, wondering if I could afford to share. This kind of sharing would truly be a test of my faith. Would I be up to it?
Holy Lord, help me learn to be generous with all of my “belongings”. You are in charge of allowing me what I actually need. May I learn to store up blessings in heaven, and not hold on to belongings on earth. Amen
Becky, transforming
1 Kings 17: 7-16. Luke 6:38
As I read today’s devotion, I thought of myself. As I age, will I be a joyful receiver of help or will I resent that I cannot do what I was always able to do and also resent that others have to assist me. Sometimes I already feel as if our daughters think we are getting too old for some things. While I am glad they care, I hope they let me tell them when I need them. Although I can be stubborn, I think I will accept help when I need it.
Prayer: Gracious God, give me the wisdom to accept help as easily as I have given it. AMEN
1 Kings 17:7-16
These verses and The Upper Room writer’s message have me reflecting on my childhood. Growing up I never thought that we didn’t have enough. As an adult, I realized how much my parents sacrifice for our little family. Knowing what I know now, I am certain that my mother and father scraped together what they had so that my brother and I could live the childhood but they wanted for us. They may have had meager resources, but they also had lots of hope and faith. It all worked out and I had a wonderful carefree childhood. What that did for me is instill deep gratitude for what they provided for me. I tried to always be…
Daily Devotions
Tuesday, September 1st, 2026
A Gracious Receiver.
(Focus: Those Who Have Been Generous To Me
Today’s Reading. 1 Kings 17-7-16
Luke 6:38
Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”
Generously is not only giving of ourselves and resources, it also involves our attitude toward others. Generous people will be patient with others who might be more withdrawn. It is so necessary to be forgiving and never become angry. It is hard to let go of judgment and anger, because we want payback when someone hurts us, rather than handing out…
1 Kings 17:7-16/Luke 6:38
Luke captures the essence of the story of the widow of Zarephath in one verse. She readily shared her meager stores with the prophet and God returned it to her many fold. God knew the heart of this woman and chose her to not only supply Elijah, but to be the recipient of abundant blessing. Who will God put in our path to sacrificially supply? I remember an incident years ago in Brooklyn when driving home from work in Crown Heights that I will share tonight if we have time. It is not exactly like the widow of Zrephath, but similar.
Prayer - Lord, we are taught is is more blessed to give than to receive,…