In 1 Kings 17: 8-9 we read, “And the word of Yahweh came to EliYah, saying, Arise, get thee to Zarephath, which belongeth to Zidon, and dwell there: behold, I have commanded a widow woman to sustain thee.”
Many times it is not clear why Yahweh allows certain things to happen to us. But it is always for our own good. EliYah had been fed by ravens until the brook of Cherith dried up due to the very drought that EliYah had prophesied. Then, instead of providing water, Yahweh told EliYah to move to a village in Zidon to stay with a poor widow who would feed him.
In Zidon, lived the wicked queen Jezebel and she was soon to become EliYah’s fierce enemy! Furthermore, poor EliYah would have to humble himself and ask the poor widow to share what she thought was her last meal with him—a total stranger and prophet she didn’t even know! EliYah must’ve wondered why Yahweh was doing this.
Nevertheless, EliYah obeyed Yahweh without question, and so did the poor widow. So Yahweh was able to perform two mighty miracles. He met the physical and spiritual needs of this unlikely duo—the greatest prophet of that time and an insignificant widow. The daily miracle of the oil and meal took place as long as the drought continued, and an even greater miracle—the widow’s son was restored to life (1 Kings 17: 20-24). The poor widow’s faith in Yahweh must have increased tremendously.
What about you? Do you often feel confused when strange trials befall you? Yahweh’s ways may not be our ways, but they truly are best. It is not for us to understand every little thing that Yahweh does in our lives. They all serve a purpose to His glory. Trials can happen for any number of reasons. Yes, sin does play a part in some trials (whether they be our own sins, or the sins of other people), but most trials serve a purpose in developing righteous character. May He always give us the grace to obey His word, whether or not we fully understand.