The Altar

Many widows In Israel

Luke 4:24-27

^{verse 25} But I tell you of a truth, many widows were in Israel in the days of Elias, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, when great famine was throughout all the land;

^{verse 26} But unto none of them was Elias sent, save unto Sarepta, a city of Sidon, unto a woman that was a widow.

Truly there are gatherings of people and the social class may seem similar, their political rating may be the same, their bank accounts may read about the same monthly average, all the people could have one thing in common, may be good may be not so very good, they could even all be widows,  but don’t be deceived, when a servant will be sent as the redeemer of the people, there will be only one person chosen for instant elevation. 

See in the time of the farming which Jesus was referring to here in the book of 1 kings, every widow did eat a good meal at last but they had to wait until the farming had vanished. However during the farming, even in the midst of all the scarcity a certain widow did not only have enough to feed herself, she also had enough to give her son and some abundant extra to feed the prophet of God. In one way or another my friend you will have to deserve your miracle.

These things don’t just come by coincidence, you must be deliberate. This widow made a sacrifice. You know you may not really understand the story if all that you have is the comment of Jesus in Luke chapter four so maybe there is a real need for you to examine the story ( 1 kings 17 vs 7-16). How that Elijah first had said to the woman “make me first I pray thee a morsel of bread from what you have” after she had properly explained to him that this insufficient quantity of flour he saw her preparing was a last meal for her son and herself.  

He urged her to make a sacrifice despite her penury.

You may think you have nothing to give, but if you’re going to be one of those extra ordinary cases of instantaneous turn around, you will have to part with something. In your case may be not your food, may be not your money, may be your current job, It may be your addictions, maybe your gluttony, may be an attitude, may be a friend may be all of the listed and some additions by God, but the great advice is when you want an outstanding recognition don’t be expected to be selected by some sort of random grace. Actually grace can only help you so far. Grace brought Elijah to that woman’s door step (of all the Places in Israel that God could have sent Elijah to) but her sacrifice made him stay. Grace will select you but sacrifice will elect you.

Of all the children of David Grace chose Solomon but his sacrifice made him excel. Grace is a call; sacrifice is how well you do at that calling.