«Arise, go to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and dwell there. See, I have commanded a widow there to provide for you» (l Kings 17:9).
Has God ever asked you to give Him something very precious? Perhaps the story of Abraham and the sacrifice of Isaac comes to our minds; or perhaps some other of the many other times when God made some specific request.
Today we will review two stories in which God tested His children by asking for something related to their treasures, and we will see what He did next. First, let us look at the story of the drought the people of Israel suffered during the pagan reign of Ahab and how Elijah went to the Brook Cherith. God gave him the express command to go to Zarephath. A woman who believed in the true God lived there, but she was very poor. She had run out of food that very day and she was going to give up with her son. Elijah’s request sounded a little selfish, perhaps. He was asking for water and bread from someone who had two mouths to feed and only a handful of flour and a little oil. In addition, he asked her to fix the food for him first and then for them. This woman ‘s faith and hospitality were really put to the test, but she trusted the divine promise and obeyed. We know the story. She did not lack flour or oil for many days, and at the time of her son’s illness and death, when it seemed that Elijah’s arrival brought only trials and more trials, the man of God prayed and the child was resurrected. God asked for a little but returned much more.
Second, let us look at Zacchaeus’s story. «Today I must stay at your house,” Jesus told him.
I do not know if you ever invited yourself to a house. Children tend to do that a lot, but some adults do it, too. With little hesitation, Jesus asked to spend a night with Zacchaeus. This entailed an expense, but in addition to Zacchaeus’s being able to afford it, he was happy to do so. That day, Jesus asked him for lodging, but Zacchaeus received salvation and was able to restore what he had stolen. Jesus asked for a little but gave back much more.
If you think God is asking you for something today, do not be afraid to give it to Him. His commands are always accompanied by blessings. These will not always be material, but they will bring life and salvation to our homes. What more can we ask for?