When The Oil Feels Low

Favour
Nov 9
2 min read

Empty wine glasses, plates with pizza remnants, red pepper grinder, and crumpled napkins on a dimly lit table create a cozy, used setting. — Photo by Mel — on Unsplash

In the days when your strength feels like that jar of oil in the widow’s hand, barely enough for one more day. You pray, but it feels like whispers hitting a closed sky. You give, but no one seems to notice. You serve, but your own soul feels hungry. You smile in public, but inside you are wondering, “How long can I keep this up?”

And yet, the miracle never begins with abundance. It begins with what is left.

When Elijah met the widow in Zarephath, he did not arrive with provisions. He showed up with a request: “Bring me a little water and a piece of bread.”

It almost sounded inconsiderate. How could he ask for more when she barely had enough for herself and her son? But hidden in that strange instruction was an invitation to trust God with the last drop.

That is how God still works. He rarely begins His miracles with overflow. He starts with surrender. That small, trembling “yes,” the willingness to give Him what is left, is what opens the flow of heaven.

You may feel like your jar is almost empty. Maybe your oil looks like emotional strength, creative energy, faith for your dreams, or hope for your future. But the same God who sustained the widow is the same God watching over your life today. He never needed much to multiply. He only needed something surrendered.

So before you count what is missing, pause and thank Him for what is still in your jar. That small reserve, your leftover hope, your quiet prayers, your decision to keep believing, is still enough for a miracle.

Reflect On This

Do not despise small faith or shame yourself for feeling weak. Even mustard seed faith can move mountains because it is not about the size of your belief but the strength of your God. He sees the oil, He honors the effort, and He never wastes obedience.