Did you come to remind me of my sin?

Some time later the son of the woman who owned the house became ill. He grew worse and worse, and finally stopped breathing. She said to Elijah, “What do you have against me, man of God? Did you come to remind me of my sin and kill my son?”

1 Kings 17:17-18

The "widow" knew. Probably everybody knew. This boy was the fruit of her sin. Her guilt was real and deserved. She knew it. Yet God had sent his prophet Elijah and provided for her and her son. She was given a little hope that things might get better. Then, the boy becomes sick and stops breathing. The pain, the guilt, the condemnation all just hit her again. There was no one to blame but her, her sin. 

Elijah didn't ask her if she was repentant. He didn't try to explain why bad things happen. He just took the boy and asked God to let life return to him. And God did. Then the widow believed. The jar of flour and jug of oil not running out didn't convince her. But, bringing her son back to life did. You see, God knows how to reach us. He knows our self-inflicted wounds of sin. 

Are you a little like the widow, carrying around some guilt, thinking that every time someone looks at you they only think of your sin? In Christ you are forgiven. You are not condemned. God wants to raise up new life in you. Rest in the truth...