Unbound: Releasing God’s Provision

1 Kings 17:8-16

Introduction

The Bible is filled with examples of God’s miraculous provision for His people. In Genesis, God gave Abraham the ram just in time to sacrifice in place of his son. In the Gospels, Jesus used five loaves and two fish to feed a large, hungry crowd. In 1 Kings 17:14, God took a handful of flour and a tiny bit of oil to feed a widow and her son for many days until the famine ended. Whether our need is little or great, God can provide. God is the believers’ source to address every need of our lives.

Certain situations cause us to need God’s provision. When we allow the sin of idolatry into our hearts, we find ourselves desperately lacking. In 1 Kings 17:1, there was a famine in the land because the Israelites had wandered from God. The repercussions of straying from God involve us not having the resources we would otherwise possess. Another point where we need God is when He uses our circumstances to compel us to trust Him at a higher level. Trusting Him more strengthens our spiritual development. God can also let something dry up to take us in another direction because He wants us to fulfill a spiritual purpose.

God sends us what we need by using multiple resources as mechanisms to bring the provision. In 1 Kings 17:6, God used ravens to deliver food to Elijah. We must never confuse the mechanism with the source; otherwise, we will make the mechanism into an idol. God alone is our source. His provision comes as we follow His directions and obey. God’s provision also requires ministry to others, not just a blessing for ourselves. Although it will result in greater a blessing for us, that cannot be our aim. This blessing can multiply to greater things as God provides over and above what we want and need. We should remember that we are blessed to give a blessing, and it all begins with obedience.

Getting Started

1. When people who are lost are in need, where do they go to get their needs met?
2. Have you ever stretched something beyond how long it was supposed to last? How did you do it?

Let’s Get Personal

1. Can you describe a time when God provided miraculously for you? If not, then how would you desire to see God’s provision in your life now?
2. When has idolatry—or another sin—caused you to lack provision?
3. In what areas is it difficult for you to trust God? How might He call you to trust Him more?

Take the Next Step

1. What act of obedience is God calling you to do right now? Pray for God to help you remove any sin in your heart that is an obstacle to obeying Him so you can follow His direction immediately.
2. How have you already been blessed to be a blessing? How can you minister to others this week? When you bless others, make a note of how God increases the blessing beyond what you expect.
3. Want to go deeper? Take time to look at the following passages: 1 Kings 17:8-16; Psalm 104:10-12; Psalm 104:27-29; Ecclesiastes 11:1-6; Luke 6:38; Proverbs 11:25; Luke 4:24-27; Deuteronomy 11:16-17; Deuteronomy 14:11-14; Deuteronomy 8:1-3; 2 Corinthians 1:8-9; James 1:17.

Renew Your Mind

“The bowl of flour was not exhausted nor did the jar of oil become empty, according to the word of the LORD which He spoke through Elijah.”

1 Kings 17:16