1 Kings 17

REFLECTIONS UPON CHAP. XVII.—God will have his witnesses in the worst of times, and will endue them with gifts and graces proportionable to the difficulties with which they are called to struggle. Great and inexpressible is the power of fervent prayer with God. But it bodes ill for a people when God’s prophets are driven into corners, and when obscurity becomes their duty by the call of God. They who dare to be bold for God may trust him with their protection; he will take care that they shall not starve. He can make the most ravenous or the most destitute creatures on earth to provide for them. When one created source runs dry, he can make another to break forth. And plentifully he rewards those who cheerfully supply the wants of his servants. Yet to what straits and perplexity may those who fear his name, or their children, be reduced before he appear for their relief. But, in our deepest distresses, God is nearer to relieve us than we think: and faith must silence all objections. A promise of God is instead of a thousand arguments. They, who can trust God with their all, will find themselves no losers by him: and works of piety and charity bring us again our own with usury. God often exercises his people with the heaviest trials after they have met with remarkable favours. And, the more unexpected the stroke, the harder it is to be composed under it at first. In our troubles, how apt are we to quarrel with our best friends, and in our haste to speak unadvisedly with our lips! But it is more decent and becoming humbly to search out, confess, and acknowledge our sin, which is the cause of them. And, if others be in trouble, our business is to sympathise with them, and intercede with God in their favour. And great is the mercy when troubles and deliverances concur to strengthen our faith and increase our knowledge. But how great the condescension of God—he hath chosen the poor, rich in faith and heirs of his kingdom! How great his sovereignty in selecting the monuments of his special kindness! A Canaanitish widow is regarded, is honoured with miracles, when multitudes in Israel, as destitute as her, are overlooked!