Notice one word in this verse: “first”. It had not... - All The Good Seed Daily Devotionals for 2026

Go and do as you have said, but make me a small cake from it first, and bring it to me; and afterward make some for yourself and your son.
1 Kings 17: 13.

Notice one word in this verse: "first". It had not rained for some time; so there was a famine. The woman to whom the prophet Elijah spoke was at the end of her tether. She had just enough flour and oil for one meal. Elijah first wanted a drink, then asked her for a morsel of bread. She told him her desperate situation, yet he insisted: "Make me first!"

His demanding the little she had for himself may seem impertinent, but as a prophet of God he assured her: "Thus says the LORD God of Israel, ‘The bin of flour shall not be used up, nor shall the jar of oil run dry, until the day the LORD sends rain on the earth.'"

With the words: "Make me first" Elijah was testing the woman's faith to see whether she really believed God. If she gave the prophet first, then nothing would be left for her. So she had to rely on the truth of God's promise to provide for her.

Jesus Christ said: "Come to me, all you who labour and are heavy laden, . Am I prepared to come? If so, I shall put my fearful scepticism to one side, venture the step to Him and trust Him to forgive my sins and grant me rest - just as He said.

The episode above ended with the woman going and acting "according to the word of Elijah; and she and he and her household ate for many days." She obeyed and trusted, and her faith was rewarded! Even today God responds to faith and trust.

Today‘s reading: Deuteronomy 10: 1 - 11 · Matthew 24: 15 - 28