Let the Little Go: A Sermon on Faith, Surrender, and God’s Provision
God’s Call to Zarephath
The story of Elijah and the widow of Zarephath from 1 Kings 17:8-16 is one of profound spiritual significance. God’s command to Elijah, “Arise, get thee to Zarephath… I have commanded a widow woman there to sustain thee,” reveals God’s intricate plans to demonstrate His provision through obedience and faith. It seems counterintuitive that God would send Elijah to a widow who had barely enough to survive. Yet, this very situation highlights a core biblical truth: God uses what little we have to showcase His power and faithfulness.
What is the little in your life that God is asking you to let go of? What are you clinging to out of fear of scarcity? This narrative invites us to surrender our insufficiencies to God, trusting Him to multiply them beyond measure.
1. The Spiritual Weight of Small Things
Sometimes, it’s the small things that carry the heaviest spiritual weight. Paul experienced this when he referred to his thorn in the flesh in 2 Corinthians 12:7-9. Though it seemed minor, it humbled him and reminded him of his dependence on God. Similarly, in our lives, a small fear, a lingering doubt, or a past hurt can block the flow of God’s blessings.
The widow of Zarephath had only a handful of meal and a little oil—but her small resources, once surrendered, became a channel for God’s miraculous provision. The lesson here is clear: God’s power is made perfect in our weakness. When we offer Him our little, He turns it into much.
Reflection: What “little” is weighing on your heart today? It could be a small offense, a minor financial burden, or a sliver of doubt. God is calling you to release it.
2. Fear vs. Faith: The Widow’s Dilemma
When Elijah asked the widow for a small cake, her initial response revealed her fear: “As the LORD thy God liveth, I have not a cake, but a handful of meal in a barrel, and a little oil in a cruse… that we may eat it, and die” (1 Kings 17:12). Her fear was valid—she faced imminent death. But Elijah’s words redirected her focus: “Fear not…” (1 Kings 17:13). This simple yet powerful command challenges us to shift from fear to faith.
Jesus also addressed fear in Matthew 6:25-27: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink… Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap… yet your heavenly Father feeds them.”
Faith requires us to trust in God’s provision, even when our circumstances seem dire. Like the widow, we must release our fears and take the first step in obedience.
Application: Identify one area where fear is holding you back. Surrender it to God and take a step of faith.
3. God’s Ability to Multiply What We Surrender
God’s capacity to multiply is evident throughout Scripture. In John 6:9-13, Jesus multiplied five loaves and two fish to feed over five thousand people. The disciples initially doubted, but Jesus’ blessing turned insufficiency into abundance.
Similarly, Elijah’s instruction to the widow to prepare a small cake first was not for Elijah’s benefit but to activate God’s provision. Her obedience led to the miraculous multiplication of meal and oil, sustaining her household throughout the famine.
Malachi 3:10 challenges us: “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse… Test me in this… and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.” God invites us to trust Him by giving from our little, promising to bless us abundantly.
Reflection: What are you holding onto that God is asking you to release? Trust Him to multiply it.
4. The Heart of Generosity
Generosity is a reflection of our trust in God’s provision. Proverbs 3:9-10 instructs, “Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing.” The widow’s act of giving her last morsel was an act of faith and generosity, demonstrating her trust in God’s promise.
Jesus emphasized the value of giving in Luke 6:38: “Give, and it will be given to you… For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” Generosity opens the door to God’s blessings.
Challenge: Practice generosity this week by giving your time, resources, or encouragement to someone in need. Watch how God blesses your obedience.
5. The Role of Obedience in God’s Provision
Obedience is the key that unlocks God’s blessings. The widow’s willingness to follow Elijah’s instructions, despite her fear, brought about a miraculous supply of meal and oil. Isaiah 1:19 reminds us, “If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the good things of the land.”
Our obedience demonstrates our trust in God’s plan, even when it doesn’t make sense. In Genesis 22, Abraham’s willingness to offer Isaac as a sacrifice showcased his complete trust in God. God rewarded his obedience by providing a ram in Isaac’s place and reaffirming His covenant.
Reflection: Is there an area in your life where God is asking for obedience? Take a step today and trust Him with the outcome.
6. Overcoming the Fear of Scarcity
The fear of scarcity is deeply ingrained in human nature. We often feel that if we give, we will lack. However, God’s kingdom operates on the principle of abundance. Philippians 4:19 assures us, “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.”
The widow’s fear of running out was replaced by the reality of God’s endless supply. Her story teaches us that trusting God with our little leads to His abundant provision.
Application: Reflect on God’s past faithfulness in your life. Use those moments to strengthen your trust in His future provision.
7. Faith Breaking Fear
Faith is the antidote to fear. 2 Timothy 1:7 declares, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” When we step out in faith, fear loses its grip, and God’s power begins to operate in our lives.
Elijah’s reassurance to the widow, “Fear not,” marked the turning point in her story. By acting in faith, she experienced God’s miraculous provision firsthand.
Challenge: Take a bold step of faith this week. Trust God in an area where fear has held you back.
Let the Little Go
The story of the widow and Elijah is a timeless reminder that God’s blessings often follow our surrender and obedience. When we let go of the little, God multiplies it, meeting not only our needs but also exceeding our expectations. Ephesians 3:20 declares, “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.”
Let us release our fears and trust in God’s provision, knowing that He is faithful and able to supply all our needs. By letting go of the little, we make room for His abundance to flow into our lives.