Over the past two weeks there were reports of three celebrities who took their own lives. These are shocking stories. All three people were popular—known and “loved” by many, wealthy, and projected an aura of happiness. They had searched and found the treasures that the world puts forth as the answers to life. Sadly, for one reason or another, they didn’t search far enough. They settled in for an answer to life that just didn’t work. They gave up too soon.
We humans have a longing deep inside us that puts us into “search” mode. Even little children search for the place where Mommy hides the candy. Teenagers search for acceptance by their peers and a place on the popularity ladder. Adults search for the dream job and the dream “soul mate”.
Did we ever wonder if God searches too? Do we know that God is searching for us more than we are searching for him? And, how many times does God find what he is looking for?
Today we read a story about God searching for a human being who would put him first, even above her own basic needs (1 Kings 17:7-16). Israel’s love for God had run dry. They no longer sought him with their whole hearts. So, in turn, God allowed their water supply to run dry. Though he withheld rain, he did take care of his chosen servant Elijah. He led him to a small brook where he could hide out from his enemies and quench his thirst. But, in time, even the brook failed him.
“The brook near where Elijah was hiding ran dry, because no rain had fallen in the land. So the Lord said to Elijah: ‘Move on to Zarephath of Sidon and stay there. I have designated a widow there to provide for you.’ He left and went to Zarephath.”
Why all the way to Zarephath, a foreign land, and to a Gentile widow? Why did God have Elijah seek an answer outside the domain of his own people? It would have been a simpler and easier solution for God to awaken a small spring near Elijah’s dwelling and take care of him this way. God had no problem supplying water—remember how he brought forth water even from a dry rock?
Elijah was searching for food and water. God was searching for a pure heart.
“As he arrived at the entrance of the city, a widow was gathering sticks there; he called out to here, ‘Please bring me a cupful of water to drink.’ She left to get it, and he called out to her, ‘Please bring along a bit of bread.’ She answered, ‘As the Lord, your God, lives, I have nothing baked; there is only a handful of flour in my jar and a little oil in my jug. Just now I was collecting sticks, to go in and prepare something for myself and my son; when we have eaten, we shall die.’”
This amazing woman recognized the presence of God in Elijah. She talked not about her God but Elijah’s God, and though she was not an Israelite she loved and respected Him—“As the Lord, your God, lives.” She abandoned her family task immediately and responded to the needs of this man of God. She had come to accept the time of famine and was preparing to fix a final meal for her and her son.
“Elijah said to her, ‘Do not be afraid. Go and do as you propose. But first make me a little cake and bring it to me. Then you can prepare something for yourself and your son.’”
She had but a handful of flour. If she made a cake for Elijah would she have enough left for her and her son? Having a heart that chose to put God first, she did as Elijah said—she put the needs of God’s servant ahead of her own, even when her own life and death were involved. She believed that somehow God would provide a final meal for her and her son, because Elijah said that God would provide enough for them as well.
God’s search came to an end. He could not find anyone in Israel whose heart was so pure and God-centered. Knowing the hearts of people, God surveyed the whole land to find a person who truly loved him. The widow of Zarephath was the one he was looking for. It puzzles us that even among his chosen people God could not find a person with such an attitude of heart. More than likely they were distressed about the famine and scrambled to get food and water for themselves. They were on a “me search” rather than a “God search.” Instead of turning to God, they were turning to their own efforts. Rather than accept God’s reprimand, they fought for survival.
We know the blessing that followed this act of surrender by the holy Gentile woman.
“She was able to eat for a year, and Elijah and her son as well; the jar of flour did not go empty; nor the jug of oil run dry…”
God searches all over the world today for a place to dwell. He looks for a heart that puts him first, even in times of distress. Will he have to go outside the expected bounds to find such a person?
“Blessed are the pure of heart, for they shall see God” (Matthew 5:8).
