The Raven and the WidowSýnishorn

Day 4 The Unexpected

Imagine with me, if you will, God using the same source of your frustration, pain, anxiety, and angst, as the source of your prosperity, protection, covering, and sustenance. This was the case for Elijah. The story of Elijah highlights God’s sovereignty and His ability to use even what seems contradictory to fulfill His purposes.

According to religious scholars, geographical studies prove that both Queen Jezebel and The Widow of Zarephath, whom God used as a divine instrument of sustenance in Elijah’s life, derived from the same region. They were even believed to have been raised practically eight to ten miles apart.

This fascinating fact causes us to observe that the God of the Universe has a keen sense of humor, and is not some old proverbial stick in the mud. And, too, that God has an intricate plan for our lives.

The very evil responsible for Elijah’s rapid decline- from anointed confidence to abyssal depression- hailed from the precise region as the very good which bolstered Elijah’s faith, catapulting his destiny.

With God, unexpected things happen. The very person which caused you heartbreak and pain has potential to be the same who brings great joy and healing. The test which was sent to destroy you could be the test allowed to develop you. The den destined to devour you could be the divine setting which shelters you, cementing your legacy and furthering God’s rule.

But because of modern day access to the complete written Word of God, believers (myself included) have grown to a place of “been there, done that”, “been here, seen that”. We somehow arrogantly believe we have God all figured out. What if I were to humbly remind you that figuring God out will never be a feat accomplished.

God will always bring, or even allow, us to find ourselves in a position where we cannot trace Him. Yet we are obliged to trust Him. Take comfort in knowing that even unexpected sources are but divine avenues in the employ of Almighty God.

Like Elijah, we are challenged to relinquish our limited understanding of God and embrace trust, even when His methods defy human logic.