"Arise, go to Zarephath of Sidon and stay there. I have commanded a widow there to feed you." (1 Kings 17: 9)

"Arise, go to Zarephath of Sidon and stay there. I have commanded a widow there to feed you."  (1 Kings 17: 9)

God's powerful and loving providence is in full play in the above scripture.  God who appointed ravens to bring food to Elijah when he was in hiding has now appointed a poor widow of Zarephath to fulfill the task.

In the Temptations in the Desert, Jesus gave us a scripture rich in God's providence.  He answered Satan who tempted Him to turn stones into bread:  "Man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God."  (Matthew 4: 4)

God is the first cause of everything.  Every other cause is a secondary cause.  It is up to the Primary Cause to use any cause He chooses to accomplish an objective.  Man can be fed with whatever means God chooses.  Bread is only one of the options.

In the case of the widow of Zarephath, God shows here  as throughout the bible and history His consistent predilection to use weak secondary causes to achieve mighty events.

"Afterward he journeyed from one town and village to another, preaching and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God.  Accompanying him were the Twelve  and some women who had been cured of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out,  Joanna, the wife of Herod’s steward Chuza, Susanna, and many others who provided for them out of their resources."  (Luke 8: 1 - 3) 

Lord Jesus, help me to trust completely in your divine providence.