From Widow to Hero- The Brave Woman of 1 Kings 17:8-16

 

Rev. George Miller

November 3, 2024

1 Kings 17:8-16

 

Today’s reading is such a special one.  It’s my favorite story in the Bible; one that got me through the toughest of times when I was in my twenties, working 3 jobs, just trying to make ends meet.

 

It's a story about God, about miracles, about faith in action.

 

It’s about facing scarcity and adversity head on, and moving forward even when the odds say “No.”

 

Today’s story takes place 90 years after the Temple was completed, and things have not gone well for God’s people.

 

The nation is divided, the north has split off from the south and there is a new king who builds an altar for another god named Baal and no longer worships the Lord.

 

From out of seemingly nowhere, a prophet named Elijah steps into the story and tells the king that as a consequence of his actions, no rain will fall upon the land for years.

 

That’s where today’s scripture begins.  In this time of drought and emptiness, God says to Elijah- “Go!” 

 

Gods tells Elijah “Go to the land North of Tyre.  A widow is there who will feed you.”

 

Elijah gets to the gates of the city, and he sees a woman gathering sticks.  He asks for water and a morsel of bread.

 

But the widow replies “I have nothing.  Just a handful of flour; a bit of oil. I am gathering a couple of sticks so that I can go home, make bread, so my son and I can eat it and die.”

 

There is so much going on right here.  The extreme scarcity and sheer loneliness. 

 

This woman is so vulnerable.  She is a widow, which means she has already lost so much and experienced great pain.

 

She is a mother, which means who must not only fend for herself, but her child.

 

The place where Elijah meets her has great significance.  She is at the city gates, which means she is at the very end of town.

 

This is not the Townsquare, surrounded by others.  Nor the Temple with other worshippers, or the dining room table, with friends.

 

She had to travel a distance just to find something, anything to cook with and keep on living. 

 

And what she finds is not much- just a couple of sticks.  Two.  Barely enough to make a fire.

 

This story has so much heaviness, so much scarcity.

 

But as we witness again and again throughout scripture,

where there can seem to be moments of assured failure,

 

there can also be the moments where life and God and wonder appear and exist and surprise us once more.

 

Like Hagar in the wilderness, like Sarah and Hannah with their barrenness, this is a woman who is without, who seems to have come to the end of her story.

 

Into this moment comes a stranger, a man, someone who could possibly do great harm.

 

And what does the prophet Elijah say to her? 

 

The same words that God said to Hagar in Genesis 21.

 

The same words that Moses tells the people right before the waters of the Red Sea part.

 

“Do not be afraid.”

 

In the middle of this women’s misery, the Prophet says “Do not be afraid.”

 

This phrase right here is such a foundational phrase of scripture, from the Old Testament to the New.

 

“Do not be afraid,” Elijah says to the woman.

 

In others he tells her “Be Brave.”

 

Sometimes those are the only words you can say to someone who is going through something really, really difficult.

 

“Be brave,” Elijah says. “Make your bread.  Bring some to me, to your son, to yourself.  For your jar of meal and your jug of oil will not run out until the rains fall again.”

 

The woman does as encouraged, and somehow, some way she and her son are able to eat for days.

 

It is a miracle of amazing proportions.  One that we can hear and say “How is this possible?  How can this be?”

 

There are many ways we can interpret this, and things that can be said about how and why the jars did not run out.

 

But here is one thing we can focus on today- the actions of this amazing woman.

 

She is living during a time of historical crises- a drought has ravaged the land and food is nearly impossible to find.

 

She has lost her husband, making her one of the most vulnerable people in the city.

 

She is not just doing this alone, but she has a child to care for and worry about.

 

And she has so so so little-

 

only has a handful of meal, a little of oil, and a couple of sticks that she had to search hard for.

 

She is running on absolute empty.

 

And yet, when she is told to “Not be afraid,” but to feed Elijah, that is what she chooses to do.

 

She could have said “No.”  She could have completely refused.

 

But instead she decided to take actions.  She acts.  She does. 

 

She responds, and in doing so she plays a huge part in her own salvation.

 

When studying verses 13, we hear a multitude of verbs that she is instructed to do-

 

Do not be afraid.

Do as you have said.

Make a little cake.

Bring it to me.

Make something for yourself and son.

 

Verse 15 tells us “She went and did…and her house ate for many days.”

 

This widow, this woman, is so incredibly brave, so incredibly bold because she could have said “No,” she could have stopped, she could have given up.

 

But instead she heard; and she acted.

 

Just like Hagar in the wilderness in Genesis 21 who could have remained a victim, but instead did as God instructed and was led to what she needed.

 

Just as Moses and the Israelites.

 

Sure, God parted the waters, but the people had to be willing to step, they had to be willing to take that chance, they had to be brave and bold enough to walk between those waters.

 

The widow in today’s story is such a wonderful hero because she represents all of us, man or woman, young or old,

 

Who here or watching from home knows what it is like to have struggled, what it is like to have experienced a great loss?

 

What it is like to feel like an outsider, what it is like to worry about a child or family, what it is like to live during historically difficult times and wonder-

 

“How am I going to make it through to the other side?”

 

And the way she does this is by hearing a Word from God, not allowing fear to have the ultimate grip on her, and to act, to do, to move.

 

If we have lived long enough, we have all experienced our own kinds of drought and emptiness.

 

It can be financial issues, work related, relationships, marriage, chronic illness, death. 

 

Things that seem to say “You’re done,” “You’re finished,” and “You’re as good as dead.”

 

But the faith of God’s people, the faith we have in God, is one that says “With the Lord, we can find a way.”

 

“With the Lord we can survive.”

 

“With God what may seem to be an ending can be a new beginning.”

 

The Good News we find in today’s story and throughout the Bible is that God has a way of offering us life even in the midst of uncertainty,

 

even in the midst of death, even when it seems we have nothing left.

 

We are brave.  We believe.  We act, trusting in the Lord.

 

For that, let us say “Amen.”

Beauty of the Gift Economy; 1 Kings 5:1-7

 

Rev. George Miller

Oct 27, 2024

1 Kings 5:1-7

 

Today we are going to discuss the “Power Of The Gift,” an economic movement that is studying how non-profits have a way to influence the local economy more than we realize.

 

But first- a story.

 

A few weeks ago, I had a positive experience at a local business.  Each of the staff talked to me.  The owner came over to see if I needed anything.  At checkout, the cashiers asked who I was, so I shared about St. Lucas UCC.

 

I posted this experience on Facebook, tagging the store.  The owner replied with thanksgiving.

 

Immediately, a private message appeared from a pastor informing me the place was anti-LGBTQ.

 

They had visited the store to solicit funds for a PRIDE event and received an earful from the owner.

 

My thought was “Well, did you buy anything from them before asking for money?  Did you establish a relationship beforehand, or did you come in cold, expecting cash?”

 

14 years in a small town taught me that relationships matter.  One way to navigate the fact that many people have many opinions about many things, is to show your support for local businesses.

 

Could be a Facebook post; could be spending your money.

 

It's hard to show hate or judge someone if they’re publicly cheering you on.

 

Caring for the local economy is part of my understanding of ministry.

 

Which is why it’s so exciting that on November 3, St. Lucas is offering chicken potpies from Lyndia’s House.

 

These meals are made by survivors of abuse who are employed in a safe environment.

 

Each pie cost $6, which is a great deal.  But here is the cool thing- when you purchase local, about 70% stays in the community.

 

So when you buy your Lydia’s House pot pie next week, you’re not just supporting a vital local ministry, or empowering women-

 

you are ensuring that 70 cents stays right here in St. Louis county to bless other businesses and employees.

 

In other words, you are not just buying a pot pie at church, you are participating in the “Gift Economy.”

 

How many of us have ever thought about the economic impact St. Lucas has in our community?

 

The people we employ who use their paycheck to pay rent, buy groceries, purchase clothes?

 

The laborforce we support, from those who clean the building at night, to unlocking our doors on Sunday morning?

 

All the items we purchase to keep our ministry going, from the ink in our printers to the paper for the bulletins to the utility bills and care for the grounds?

 

We think we are giving to a ministry or a building or a salary.

 

But when giving to St. Lucas, have we ever thought that we are also empowering the local economy and playing a part in ensuring there are jobs and purchasing power?

 

Financially blessing the local community is just as valid as blessing the community through care, worship, and mission.

 

This is a huge part of what’s happening in today’s reading.

 

King David wanted to build a Temple, but God said “no.”

 

But now we have his son, Solomon, who has been gifted with wisdom and insight.

 

King Solomon uses that wisdom so wisely that God tells him it is time to build the Temple.

 

And what does King Solomon do?  He uses the construction of the Temple to develop strong international relationships, create jobs, and enrich the economy.

 

Isreal is known for agriculture and traveling routes to Asia and Africa, but they’re not know for building or construction supplies.

 

So Solomon contacts the King of Tyre, North of Isreal.  “Hey- you are known for having the best wood and best craftsmen. No one knows how to cut limber like your people.  Let’s enter into a commercial agreement.”

 

King Solomon is smart.  What a great way to keep peace with a neighboring country- create a commercial alliance while stroking their ego. 

 

King Solomon paid Tyre with 125,000 bushels of wheat and 115,000 gallons of olive oil each year.  This went on for 7 years.

 

Next, Solomon calls upon his workforce to work with Trye.

 

There’s stones to be cut, logs to be shipped, bronze to be turned into pillars, stairways to be built, doors to be carved, and a spacious sanctuary to design.

 

By building the Temple, King Solomon not only creates an alliance with the nearby king, he creates about 150,000 jobs for cooks, captains; employing folk who work in quarries, transit, artists who crafting bowls, plates, cups used in worship.

 

King Solomon has them work in shifts- for every month at work they get two months at home.

 

All these people got to be paid; they got to be fed. 

 

Imagine what those 2 months off were like; how the workers used that money to spend and bless their own local economy.

 

King Solomon’s building of the Temple wasn’t just about God, it was also about bringing peace between kingdoms, keeping the local economy afloat and using the skillsets of those around him.

 

What a unique form of ministry; what a way to use wisdom to bless others and go beyond the walls of a building.

 

King Solomon was a spiritual entrepreneur who understood the power of “the gift” thousands of years before modern economists began discussing the topic.

 

Imagine if we began to see our gifts to charities, non-profits, and St. Lucas the same way. 

 

We aren’t just giving to a place, but we are participating in a Gift Economy in which what we give has a life that continues to give and give to others.

 

…and actually, we don’t have to imagine, because we know.

 

For the past few weeks, the young adults of St. Lucas, under the leadership of Amy and Lynn have been busy making and selling their apple dumplings.

 

To do so, they spent $473 on apples; 7 of 11 bushels from Rendleman Orchards.

 

$536 was spent on supplies.

 

The youth made 200 pans; sold 180, which totals at least $5,400 to fund their 2025 Mission Trip

 

40 pans of dumplings were purchased by one person to give to the staff of the local company they own, which totals $1,200.

 

So if 70% of money spent at a locally owned business goes back into the community, that means the apples we purchased for $536 created another $375.

 

And the $1,200 spent by the local businessperson has the potential to create another $840.

 

To this- we say “Bravo” to our Youth, to Amy, to Lynn for creating such a moment in which we can see and experience how our gifts actually gift more than just us, but those around us.

 

King Solomon used his wisdom to not only offer praise to God, but to bless the community.

 

Our youth found a way to use their resources to not only fund their mission but to support local business.

 

And next week, when we purchase our delicious chicken pot pies from Lydia’s House we are not just supporting an invaluable ministry,

 

we are supporting local jobs and our local economy.

 

What a great way to do ministry; what a great way to transform lives as the hands and feet of Christ.

 

For that, let us say “Amen.”

Praising God Even In the 'No'; 2 Samuel 7:1-13

 

Rev. George Miller

October 20, 2024

2 Samuel 7:1-13

 

Once upon a time, there was a controversial election, building of new stores, an influx of immigrants, and the feeling that “the way of life has changed.”

 

Into this moment of chaos and differences emerged an idea- let’s start a new thing- a German Evangelical Congregation.

 

On March 1, 1880 a group met in a schoolhouse on Gravois and Park road…and the seeds of St. Lucas were planted amongst the good soil of Denny Road.

 

By March 29, a Constitution and Bylaws were adopted.  April saw a unanimous vote to build.  In October, Pastor Joseph Steinhart preached and was accepted.

 

144 years later, here we are.  Again there is a controversial election, new stores being  built, and an influx of immigrants.

 

144 years later, St. Lucas UCC stands, continuing to transform lives as the hands and feet of Christ.

 

Has it always been easy?  No.  Have there been bumps in the road?  Yes. 

 

Have there been heartbreaks?  Of course.  Have there been great triumphs?  Heck yes. 

 

Through it all, St. Lucas is still here, and we continue to be so.

 

As a testament to the gifts of Heaven, the Grace of God, the Good News of Jesus Christ, and the hope of the Holy Spirit.

 

As a church, we are more than a building- we are a ministry.  As a congregation we are more than the pastor, we are a people.

 

As a Body Of Christ we are living, breathing, active, present.

 

Today, we have a reading about a chance to build a House of God…and God says no?  Why?

 

First, let’s revisit Hannah, the one who seemed hopeless but became victorious.

 

Hannah has a son, named him Samuel, and has him raised by the local priest.  Samuel grows up to anoint the 1^st King of Isreal, and then he anoints the 2^nd King, David.

 

So Hannah, who started off as barren, becomes the mother of the man who calls forth the nation’s greatest King.

 

David is a charismatic character.  Brave.  Flawed.  Faithful.

 

He’s a talented musician; great dancer.  Defeats Goliath, rescues the Ark of the Covenant, unites the north and south.  

 

Today, King David is at a great place in his professional and personal life.  He has seen it all, done it all.

 

There’s no war to worry about.  He’s settled, rested.

 

With all this free time, he begins to think-

 

“Here I sit in this palace, and yet the Ark of the Covenant holding the Law and Commandments is sitting outside in a tent.  Surely we can do better.  Surely God deserves more.”

 

So King David comes up with an idea- “Let’s build God a home; let’s make a magnificent Temple for God to dwell in.”

 

It sounds perfect; it feels so right, but God says “Nope!”

 

God says “No.”

 

God says “I have not asked for a house.  I’ve been perfectly fine being free, moving with the people, going where they go.”

 

God says “There will come a time in which a Temple will be built, but I’ll choose who and where.  But David- it’s not you.”

 

And we wonder- how did that feel for King David to be told “no” and to be told “no” by the very God he fought for, prayed to, and loved?

 

Talk about heartbreak.  Talk about having to reevaluate your relationship.

 

We may wonder “Why?” 

 

Why did God not want David to be the one to build the Temple?  Especially after all he did, from rescuing the Ark to uniting the nation.

 

Maybe it’s because King David was too charismatic, too brave, too bold, too controversial.

 

Perhaps God knew that if David built the Temple, it would not be known as the House of God…but it would forever be known as the House of David.

 

Perhaps God knew the people and David well enough that if he was the one to build the Temple, all the glory and honor would go to David and not the Lord.

 

So although King David is eager and excited, God says “No.”

 

One of the hardest words for someone with good intentions to hear.

 

God tells David “no,” and do you know what King David does?

 

He sits…and in great humility, he asks “Who am I?” and then he proceeds to praise God in a way few people ever have.

 

Everyone here and worshipping online is encouraged to read 2 Samuel 7:18-29 to experience David’s response.

 

After being told “No,” King David goes and sits before God.

 

This is momentous.  Here he is, the most powerful person in the entire nation, and he sits. 

 

Sitting is a subservient position.  Sitting is a sign of humility. 

 

This is not the King sitting on the throne to receive requests, or sitting at the head of the table to receive praise and honor.

 

This is King David sitting on the ground, like a child before an elder, a student before a teacher.

 

King David has had his dreams crushed and instead of responding negatively, he sits.

 

Then he talks with God.

 

“Who am I?” he asks.  “Who am I that you have brought me so far?  O Lord God, you speak, and what can I say, for I am your servant.”

 

David humbly sits before God and says “Because of your promises, you have brought forth greatness.  There is no one like you; no one like your people.  You have done great things.”

 

While sitting on the ground, King David says “O Lord, your name will be magnified forever, you have given me courage to pray this prayer.”

 

“O Lord God, your words are true.  Let it be pleasing to you and may your blessing surround me and my family forever.”

 

Wow.

 

King David has had his plans, his dreams, his good intentions postponed by God, and instead of giving up, giving in, he praises the Lord.

 

In just 11 verses, he refers to

-“O Lord” 2 times.

-“God” 3 times.

-“O Lord God” 8 times.

 

David uses the word “yourself” once, “your” 15 times, and “you” 17 times.

 

Which means that King David, the most powerful person in all of Isreal, refers to God in some way or form 47 times in 11 verses.

 

47 times David refers to God, all while sitting on the ground, like a child, a student, a humble servant, before the Almighty.

 

This is amazing, powerful, insightful.

 

Who could ever imagine that a “No” from God could create space for a person to offer praise, look to the future, and to find incredible peace?

 

King David is someone who made a lot of mistakes.  We hear numerous stories about his tragic flaws. 

 

But here, we see someone who is a victor, someone who has faith, someone who finds a way to rise above rather than sink below.

 

This David, who was appointed by the son of Hannah, who goes on to become the ancestor of Jesus.

 

Just as we lift up and remember folk like Pastor Steinhart and Rev. Kruse, we lift up and remember our spiritual ancestors,

 

like Hagar, Hannah, and King David who faced adversity and “no’s” to rise above, to look towards God and to plant the seeds of faith.

 

Last week, Hannah showed us how to offer praise to God in the good times. 

 

Today, King David shows us how to offer God our praise even when things don’t go as imagined.

 

So as we move forward together, as we continue to learn and grow, we find our own ways to speak with our Creator, to sit before God, and to say what is on our heart and in our mind.

 

And to know that God hears, and that God has a future planned.

 

For that, we can say “Amen.”