Finding Jesus In HanakkuhSample

  

Day 5

8 Days of Oil (Provision)

Scripture: 1 Kings 17:16 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.

Teach: When I think upon the miraculous supply of oil in the Hanukkah story, my mind is often cast back to when God has done something similar in the past. Many times, you can look back through the Scriptures and see that there are patterns or similar events that preceded the event you are currently meditating upon. Concerning this supernatural supply of oil for the menorah, we find such a narrative in the life of Elijah. Elijah had just been sustained by bread from the ravens at the Brook Cherith when God commanded him to go to Zarephath and meet a certain widow. In the city of Zarephath he met a widow who was resigned to death. She was in some dire circumstances. Elijah asks her to make him a cake to eat, even though she only had enough to make a cake for her and her son to eat their last meal together and then die. In spite of that, this despairing widow fulfilled Elijah’s request, and because of her obedience and faith, the oil in her jar did not run dry until the day God sent rain on the earth.

We read about this same loving provision in the Gospel of Matthew, when Jesus reminds us of His everlasting love and care towards us. Jesus says that we are not to worry about lacking anything, but to trust that our Father in heaven who sees our needs will also provide. The apostle Paul told the church in Philippi that God would supply all of our needs according to His riches in Christ Jesus.

Let us then remember that if God can supply oil to a widow and oil to the menorah, He can and will certainly provide for us in our time of need.

Prayer: Lord, bring to my remembrance all of these things that you had provided for me, lest I forget what you have done and that your desire is to provide for my every need.