The God Who Provides In Strange Places Series

THE GOD WHO PROVIDES IN STRANGE PLACES

By Rev. Samuel Arimoro

Main Text: 1 Kings 17:1-16

Supporting Texts: Genesis 22:13-14, Exodus 16:1-15, Psalm 23:1-2, Philippians 4:19, Isaiah 43:19-20

INTRODUCTION:

There are times in life when our environment seems to offer no hope, no provision, and no solution. In such strange and unfamiliar places—spiritual wildernesses, emotional deserts, financial dead ends—many begin to panic or give up. But God is not limited by environment, economy, or geography. His provision does not depend on the abundance around you but on the abundance within Him.

Throughout Scripture, we see a recurring pattern of God showing up in unexpected places, providing resources in the most unlikely conditions. Whether it's a raven feeding a prophet, manna falling in a desert, or a ram caught in a thicket, God demonstrates that He can meet our needs even in the driest places. What looks barren to man is fertile ground for divine supply.

You may currently be in a strange place—a place of uncertainty, isolation, or insufficiency. But God is not intimidated by strange places. In fact, He often chooses them to show Himself strong. When your trust is in the God who provides, every wilderness becomes a testimony field, and every lack becomes a setup for a supply.

1. GOD’S PROVISION IS NOT LIMITED BY LOCATION

Where man sees impossibility, God sees an opportunity to demonstrate His sufficiency. He can feed you even in famine and sustain you in unfamiliar territory.

a) God can use anything and anyone to supply your needs

(1 Kings 17:4-6) – God sent ravens to feed Elijah, showing that He is not limited by conventional means.

b) Your location cannot limit God's provision

(Genesis 26:1-3) – Isaac was told to remain in a famine-stricken land, yet God blessed him there.

c) God can open rivers in dry places

(Isaiah 41:18) – He promises to open rivers on barren heights and fountains in the midst of valleys.

d) Provision comes with divine instruction

(1 Kings 17:8-9) – Elijah had to follow God’s command to move to Zarephath for the next phase of provision.

Biblical Example: Elijah at the Brook Cherith

God directed Elijah to an isolated brook where ravens fed him daily until the brook dried up. Even in that remote and strange location, divine provision flowed.

2. GOD CAN TURN STRANGE PLACES INTO BLESSING GROUNDS

What starts as discomfort can become your place of encounter. God uses unlikely locations to break natural laws and release supernatural provision.

a) Your obedience in strange places provokes miracles

(Exodus 16:4) – The Israelites received manna when they obeyed God’s leading into the wilderness.

b) God often hides blessings in unfamiliar terrains

(Deuteronomy 8:15-16) – God led Israel through the wilderness to humble and test them, then blessed them there.

c) Strange places are opportunities for faith to grow

(Hebrews 11:8-10) – Abraham journeyed to an unknown land, trusting that God would provide.

d) God supplies to teach us dependence on Him

(Matthew 6:31-33) – He wants us to trust in His provision rather than worry about earthly things.

Biblical Example: Manna in the Wilderness

God provided daily bread from heaven to over two million Israelites in a desert that offered no natural sustenance.

3. GOD PROVIDES THROUGH STRANGE VESSELS

God's provision sometimes comes from the most unexpected people or sources, reminding us that He is the Source, and people are only channels.

a) God may use a poor person to bless a prophet

(1 Kings 17:10-12) – The widow of Zarephath had only a last meal, yet became Elijah’s helper.

b) God can bless you through people you don’t expect

(2 Kings 5:1-3) – A young slave girl directed Naaman to his healing.

c) Don’t despise divine supply because of its container

(John 6:9) – A boy’s lunch fed thousands. The vessel may be small, but the miracle is in God’s hands.

d) God stretches your little to meet great needs

(2 Kings 4:2-7) – The widow’s small oil became enough to clear debt and sustain her household.

Biblical Example: The Widow of Zarephath

Though she had little, her obedience activated God’s supernatural provision, and her jar never ran dry.

4. GOD’S PROVISION BRINGS GLORY TO HIS NAME

When God provides in strange places, it silences the enemy and magnifies His name. His blessings are not only to meet needs but to showcase His faithfulness.

a) Divine provision testifies of God's sovereignty

(Psalm 23:5) – God prepares a table in the presence of enemies, showing that He’s in control.

b) When provision comes unexpectedly, God gets the credit

(Isaiah 48:21) – He brought water out of the rock so that Israel would glorify Him.

c) Provision in hard places proves God’s presence

(Genesis 28:15-17) – Jacob discovered God was in the place he thought was barren.