Let us trust in God and not rely on our own understanding.

When we rely on our own understanding (Proverbs 3:5), we cannot obey God's commandments. The reason is that, with our own wisdom, God's commandments do not always make sense. For example, how can it be that after several years without rain (1 Kings 17:1), God commands Elijah to hide by the brook Cherith and drink its water? (vv. 3-4) If it hasn't rained for years, the brook will naturally dry up (v. 7), and if the brook dries up, how will Elijah drink from it?

But that's not all. How can it be that God commands Elijah to go to Zarephath in Sidon and stay with a widow who has only a handful of flour and a little oil, and tells her to make a meal for herself and her son, and afterward they will die? (1 Kings 17:9-12) If God had prepared a wealthy Christian widow, she could have fed Elijah well, and supported his ministry with abundance. But how is it that Elijah first tells the widow to give him the food she has, before she feeds herself and her son? (vv. 11-13) How can Elijah ask her to give the food to him first? Even if he is a prophet, would he love her son as much as she does? It is human nature for a mother to want to feed her son, even if she herself has to go without a meal. How could she give that meal to the prophet first?

With our own understanding, it is impossible to comprehend the command of God's servant. However, this widow in Zarephath obeyed the word of God through His servant (1 Kings 17:15). Similarly, God's servant, the prophet Elijah, obeyed God's command (1 Kings 17:5, 10). How were they able to obey? They did not rely on their own wisdom, but trusted in God with all their hearts (Proverbs 3:5). They believed in God's promise (1 Kings 17:4, 9, 14). Even Elijah, though he had no explicit promise that the water at the brook Cherith would not dry up, held on to God's promise that He would send ravens to feed him there (1 Kings 17:4) and obeyed by faith (v. 5). Isn't that amazing?

And what was the result of their obedience? They experienced the fulfillment of God's promises through miracles (1 Kings 17:6, 16).

But what happened after that? They obeyed God's command, but how could her son die? (1 Kings 17:17) Why did God allow the son of the widow, who obeyed His command, to die? Why is it that, when we obey God's commands, we often face the greatest crises in our lives? Could it be that God wants to bring out our hidden sins (1 Kings 17:18) so that we may repent and be transformed? Could it be that God wants us to cry out to Him? (1 Kings 17:20) Or perhaps He is allowing us to experience the power and glory of His resurrection? (1 Kings 17:22) Could it be that He is revealing the truth of His word through us, so that others may know that God's word is true? (1 Kings 17:24)

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths."
(Proverbs 3:5-6)