1 Kings 17-19; Psalm 90
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Wow…so many incredible things packed within these three chapters
of 1 Kings!
~God’s provision – Even when it may seem all hope is lost and what
you need is impossible, God provides.
Elijah’s life was in danger because he
was a prophet of God, and King Ahab and Queen Jezebel wanted him killed. God told him where to go hide so he
would be safe, and God provided food and water for him. God said, “I have ordered the ravens to
feed you,” so the ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning and at
night.
God then sends Elijah to a poor widow’s
home who does not even have enough food for her and her son to survive. The woman trusts God and the man of
God, Elijah, enough to sacrifice some of her precious food. God promised that the jar of flour
would not be used up and the jug of oil would not run dry. “So there was food every day for Elijah
and for the woman and her family.
~God’s power – God doesn’t just show up; He dominates.
“If the Lord is God, follow him; but if
Baal is God, follow him.” Elijah
puts God’s power on display and reveals the lie they believe in their false
god, Baal. The wood on Elijah’s
altar was doused with 12 large jars of water. Fire from heaven burned up the sacrifice, the wood, the
stones, and the soil, and even licked up the water in the trench.
~God’s compassion – Even the greatest men and women of God get
depressed. God understands, He
cares, and He offers what we need to get us back on our feet.
The same Elijah who had just stood up
boldly in front of hundreds of false prophets and proclaimed the truth of the
Lord, was afraid, discouraged, and overwhelmed to the point he wanted to
die. God patiently and gently
strengthens Elijah by giving him warm bread to eat and water to drink along
with the reassurance that he is not alone.
~God’s presence – Elijah who had seen God’s great power,
experiences God’s gentle whisper.
The Lord was not in the wind, or the
earthquake, or the fire, but He came in a gentle whisper and gave Elijah the
directions he needed.
I recommend reading the book by Bill
Hybels, The Power of a Whisper. Hybels says, “If you are waiting for
some cosmic act of transcendent power, lower the ambient noise of your life and
start listening for His still small voice. Listen. God
still offers gentle invitations into relationships, gentle words of wisdom,
gentle warnings; but the question is, will we listen? Will we respond?”
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