The Space Between

There is a space that exists between uncertainty and knowledge. Between war and peace. Between desperation and contentment. Between hate and love. That space is occupied by two amazing words - hope and faith. Those two words make all the difference in the world to someone who has neither.

In the Old testament book of 1 Kings there is a story about the prophet Elijah and a widow and her son. One could easily say that there was "a space between" them in their relationship, but it was a space that God would soon close . . . through hope and faith. Please read these few verses.

Elijah and The Widow - 1 Kings 17:7-16

Before the widow met Elijah she had little hope left. She was gathering sticks for one final fire so she could bake the last of their food and then die. There was no hope. She knew she and her son would not make it through the three years without rain.

But something led her to trust Elijah who had asked her to give HIM the last of her food. Surely she would die if she did that, yet she did it. Why? Because Elijah spoke God's Words to her. And she believed them.

¹⁴ For this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the Lord sends rain on the land.’” - 1 Kings 17:14

She trusted that what God had said was true. She could have doubted and kept the bread for herself and her son but she didn't. She had hope first that what Elijah had told her was true. Next she had faith that what God had said about the oil and the flour would actually come true.

Do you and I have that kind of faith? That we would give up the last of our food FOR OUR CHILDREN and trust someone she had never even met before? That's either foolishness or faith! The key is in verse nine when God said to Elijah, "I have directed a widow there to supply you with food.

How does God direct people? How does He harden and soften people's hearts? He is God, that's how! The woman felt compelled to give the last of her food to Elijah. Normally she might not have but she was led by God to do so.

How is God leading you? What would He have you do for Him today? Do we exhibit hope and faith as we walk through this life? Or is there "a space between" God and our hearts?

The Space Between - Dave Matthews Band
Elijah and The Window of Zarephath