The Stranger At The Diner

• Printable Version - Share on Facebook - Posted by Dion Todd June 22, 2015 - Filed in Devotional - 13,567 views
  Elijah said to her, Dont be afraid; go and do as you have said; but make me of it a little cake first, and bring it forth to me, and afterward make for you and for your son. For thus says Yahweh, the God of Israel, The jar of meal shall not empty, neither shall the jar of oil fail, until the day that Yahweh sends rain on the earth. She went and did according to the saying of Elijah: and she, and he, and her house, ate many days. 1 Kings 17:1215 WEB
  
  Once when a pastor / mentor of mine made his regular trip to the local diner to get food for his family, there was a man outside the diner dressed in ragged clothes. It was a small town in the country where everyone knew everyone called Loris, South Carolina and this was a rare sight. He had never seen the man before, but the man looked hungry and asked him for money.
  
  The pastor looked in his wallet and saw that he only had a twenty dollar bill, just enough to buy dinner. As he started to close his wallet he felt the Holy Spirit say, You have your checkbook with you. You could buy food with that. He pulled out the twenty dollars and gave it to the man.
  
  He then went inside the diner to get his order and when the food was ready, he went to write them a check for it. The owner told him, Youre the one that pastors that church up there. There is no charge. The pastor thanked him and left.
  
  The next time that he visited the diner, it was the same thing: No charge. That was now over twenty-five years ago and he and his family still eat there free every week. We have eaten there ourselves and the pastor is a dear friend of ours. The employees just wave them through the line. He does not even pull out his wallet anymore, just thanks them and takes the bag. He never saw the man again.
  
  Hebrews 13:2 reads: Dont forget to show hospitality to strangers, for in doing so, some have entertained angels without knowing it. I am not saying that this man was an angel, but apparently some people have entertained angels without knowing it. Abraham fed three strangers that came by his tent, and it turned out to be the Lord and two angels (Gen 18:1).
  
  Sometimes God sets up a little test for you. The widow in the story had to make Elijah food first, who was a stranger in need. Jesus said Give and it will be given to you. Action is first required on our part, then there is a reward. Of course we do not have to give. God will just choose someone else to receive what He was going to give us. God just may place a stranger in front of you in need to see what you will do.
  
  Prayer: Father help me see people as You see them. Give me discernment and speak to me clearly in a way that I understand You. Move on my heart and I will obey You, in the name of Jesus I pray.