1 Kings 17:19-24 And he said to her, "Give me your son." And he took him from her arms and carried him up into the upper chamber where he lodged, and laid him on his own bed. 20 And he cried to the Lord, "O Lord my God, have you brought calamity even upon the widow with whom I sojourn, by killing her son?" 21 Then he stretched himself upon the child three times and cried to the Lord, "O Lord my God, let this child's life come into him again." 22 And the Lord listened to the voice of Elijah. And the life of the child came into him again, and he revived. 23 And Elijah took the child and brought him down from the upper chamber into the house and delivered him to his mother. And Elijah said, "See, your son lives." 24 And the woman said to Elijah, "Now I know that you are a man of God, and that the word of the Lord in your mouth is truth."

YOU might think, "Anyone who has experienced such a resurrection miracle would surely say as the woman did, 'I know...that the word of the Lord in our mouth is truth.'" The widow in Zarephath had experienced life in God's daily provision of bread. She had then watched her son die. Now she sees her son alive again! How could one not say, "I believe." witnessing such signs as she has seen?

    To answer that question, perhaps we could ask the Pharisees as they responded to Jesus' resurrection of Lazarus in John 11:44. See how John 11:45-53 records the Pharisees' fear was that such resurrection power would cause people to believe in Jesus! In their unbelieving hearts, "they made plans to put him to death." (John 11:53) Or you could ask these same men, "How could you not believe?" in response to the evidence of Jesus' own resurrection? How much evidence do we need?

    I'm reading a book called "The Brief History of Time" by the renowned atheist and physicist Steven Hawkings. It's good to know what nonbelievers believe, especially one of such an extraordinary mind God has given to Mr. Hawkings. Two things are clear to me as I read the book.

    The first thing I see is how changeable scientific "truth" is. Hawkings describes the history of scientific thought regarding the origin, form and function of the universe. Firmly held theories are disproven and become obsolete. New forms of "truth" change as brilliant minds try to decipher what causes the universe to be as it is. How could such minds not say, "'I know...that the word of the Lord in our mouth is truth." as they come to understand how complex and wondrous the universe is?

    The second thing I see in Hawkings' book is the evidence of design in the universe. For example, one of those "scientific truths" that changed is the belief the universe is static - all planets and stars stay in one place. But it is now known that the universe is expanding. Furthermore, the rate of expansion is necessary for its continued existence. A static universe or one expanding at less of a speed than it is would collapse onto itself.  

    God has given extraordinary minds to many through the ages. To some he has revealed his life power. Others such as Hawkings and the learned Pharisees of Jesus' day have seen the signs of God literally rise before them. But they still do not believe.

    In response, we must raise up God's truth as did Elijah. See how his response to the boy's death was to call on the Lord. Only God can bring life. Jesus said this to a truth-seeking Pharisee named Nicodemus: John 3:6 "Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit."  God's resurrection power needed to come to the widow's son that day. It must come to many more. Regardless of one's intelligence, no one will know God is life until the Spirit acts into their mind. Pray for the Spirit's life to come to those who do not believe.

Prayer: Holy Spirit, I pray you will open minds to know the truth of all life. In Jesus' name, amen.


 

August 17

Confess God is Life

1 Kings 17:17-18 After this the son of the woman, the mistress of the house, became ill. And his illness was so severe that there was no breath left in him. 18 And she said to Elijah, "What have you against me, O man of God? You have come to me to bring my sin to remembrance and to cause the death of my son!"

WE have been focusing on faithful responses. Over the past few days we seen in Elijah's life how God has miraculously protected and provided for Elijah, the widow at Zarephath and her son. But now the son dies. Did God suddenly turn to act against the widow and her son? To even turn from Elijah? How would Elijah and the woman respond? Would they continue in this grief continue to faithfully trust God's provisions?

           Note the woman's response. "You have come to me to bring my sin to remembrance and to cause the death of my son!" It seems the widow views her son's death as God's judgment on her sin. With these words she expresses a faith in God's words each person on earth must confess: 1) "I am a sinner in the presence of God's provision for my life." 2) "God is just and right to judge my sins." 3) "Sin leads to death." With one sentence, the widow demonstrated her continuing faith in God's sovereign authority over her life.

           Obviously we don't know her emotions or attitude as she spoke those words. But it seems they would have been humble words. Anyone who confesses, "I am a sinner." is humble to accept each aspect of life - even death - is in God's hands. Tomorrow we will see how God again rewarded her faith in a miraculous demonstration of his living provision.

           The lesson is simple and eternal. It is the lesson of Scripture. You've heard it before, and you likely know the essence of the words. I pray you live with the widow's faithful view of God, to understand (Romans 10:9-10) If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. 

           Confess as the widow that your life is in God's hands. Confess your sins. Confess Christ is Lord of your life. Pray for faith. Go and live in humility that God alone is life. Otherwise, you will perish.

Prayer: O Lord God, I am a sinner. I can only come into your presence because you offer life to me. Stir my heart to live truly alive in Christ, turning to him in all circumstances. In Jesus' name, amen.

1 Kings 17:14-16 For thus says the Lord the God of Israel, 'The jar of flour shall not be spent, and the jug of oil shall not be empty, until the day that the Lord sends rain upon the earth.'" 15 And she went and did as Elijah said. And she and he and her household ate for many days. 16 The jar of flour was not spent, neither did the jug of oil become empty, according to the word of the Lord that he spoke by Elijah.

SALVATION came to the widow's household - to her son, to her guest Elijah and to herself. God had chosen this woman, and stirred faith in her heart, that she would be his instrument of salvation for these three favored ones. Instead of seeing her limited circumstances as an excuse to reject Elijah's requests for a cup of water and a morsel of bread, the widow had listened to his words. Through her faith in the Lord's power, life came to her household as, "The jar of flour shall not be spent, and the jug of oil shall not be empty, until the day that the Lord sends rain upon the earth." From that day on, this household will always have what they need. In his grace, the Lord delivered that day their "daily bread". (Matthew 6:11)

           What a glorious demonstration this is of God's eternal salvation over his favored ones today. He has come to the world through Jesus, the eternal Prophet. Jesus to proclaim "the year of the Lord's favor" (Luke 4:19). This is the promise of salvation by grace through faith alone. The favor of God's salvation is upon the world. Jesus taught -"I tell you the truth." (especially noted in Matthew.) as he delivered to the world God's salvation favor. For those who listen and obey Jesus' truths, they will never hunger and thirst again. Hear these gracious salvation promises:

           Feast with God: Psalms 23:5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

           Drink of Jesus: John 7:37-38 "If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. 38 Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, 'Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.'"   

           Eat of Jesus: John 6:35 Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.  

           The world must know. And how will they know? See how God prepared Elijah to speak the Lord's Word. Notice he also prepared the widow to hear and respond to God's favor. This is the pattern of salvation in the Kingdom of God. As "prophesy" means to teach, be a prophet of God. Teach others of the eternal drink and everlasting food. Tell the world: "Jesus is the Living Water. Jesus is the Bread of Life. Believe in him and be saved. Feast with him forever." Yes, prophesy, and feed God's own with his great favor of salvation.

Prayer: Lord God, may I be generous with your Living Water and Bread of Life. In Jesus' name, amen.

August 14

Do Not Fear

1 Kings 17:13 And Elijah said to her, "Do not fear; go and do as you have said. But first make me a little cake of it and bring it to me, and afterward make something for yourself and your son.

"DO not fear." Elijah said. These are extraordinary words in a desperate circumstance. The widow has told Elijah she is about to go home for one last meal with her son. That meal will be the end of their food. Then they will starve to death.

           Can you imagine? You have two meals left in your cupboard when a stranger comes to you and essentially says, "Do not be afraid. I know you only have a meal for yourself and your son. Go and make the meal. But first make a small meal for me. Feed me before you feed yourself."

           Your response would certainly be grounded in fear. You would be afraid you would have too little for your son. You would be afraid this man would take more than his share. You would be afraid you would be giving to someone who doesn't "deserve" help. You would be afraid your help would be a waste of time. You would be afraid of dying.

           Throughout the Bible, we see this assurance, "Do not fear." Or "Do not be afraid." The angel Gabriel said this when he summoned Joseph to the enormous task God had given to Mary and him: Matthew 1:20 "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. An angel also spoke this to Mary Magdalene in the garden of Jesus' resurrection: Matthew 28:5 The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6 He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. 

           And Jesus said this to his disciples in the upper room as he greeted them in his resurrected body. Matthew 28:10 Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me." 

           What is common about Elijah's, the angels', and the Savior's assurance? Note that the comfort is followed with an instruction. Essentially, God is saying to his chosen servants, "Do not be afraid in this very difficult circumstance. I have another faith step for you to take with me. Come and see." When each person went past their fear and faithfully into God's assurance, they experienced God's great love to care for them in even miraculous ways.

           Is fear holding you back from your faith journey? Be not afraid. Go forward and find all that God has prepared for you.

Prayer: Lord, I give my fears to you. Holy Spirit, fill me with your peace to trust God in all circumstances, especially the scary ones. In your name, amen.

1 Kings 17:12 And she said, "As the Lord your God lives, I have nothing baked, only a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a jug. And now I am gathering a couple of sticks that I may go in and prepare it for myself and my son, that we may eat it and die."


WHEN Elijah asked the widow in Zarephath for a cup of water and a morsel of bread, she has a fascinating response. Here is a woman living in a pagan land - the territory from which the evil Queen Jezebel had come - and the first words out of her mouth confessed her faith in the Living God of Israel. To the Israelite prophet, she speaks of the God who sent him. In her first response, though, it seems she is saying, "No." to Elijah's request. Can you blame her? She has only one meal left at home for herself and her son. This could be the end of the conversation.

    But in truth, it is the beginning of Elijah's and the widow's faith journey with God. In her reference to God is the expression of the seeds of faith God has planted in the widow. Remember, he had told Elijah to go to Zarephath because he had "commanded a widow there to feed (him)". God's command to the widow didn't come on a stone tablet, a parchment or in a vision. But God's command came to the widow in sowing of faith into her soul.

    That seed came to the widow because God's name was known throughout the land. His reputation for miraculous work dating back to the Egyptian Exodus and through Israel's settlement of the Promised Land was recorded and spoken throughout all nations. Certainly, too, the power of the Lord's anointed King David loomed large in all nations as well. The Old Testament shows many examples in which pagan rulers acknowledged the Living God's power. Tragically as this widow does here, the pagans seemed to express more faith in God's power than Israel did.

    The widow knew of God and believed in him as the Living God. She may not have worshiped him outright, but she worshiped God in this confession. In the power of God, Elijah will use these seeds of faith, even though they seem as small as a mustard seed, to guide this desperate mother into a faithful journey as a servant of the Lord God.

    Are you willing to acknowledge God even when it looks as if you are on the edge of destruction?

Prayer: Lord, you are the Living God, who cares for me at all times in miraculous and gracious ways. Water my seeds of faith with Jesus, the Living Water. In Jesus' name, amen.

1 Kings 17:10-12 So he arose and went to Zarephath. And when he came to the gate of the city, behold, a widow was there gathering sticks. And he called to her and said, "Bring me a little water in a vessel, that I may drink." 11 And as she was going to bring it, he called to her and said, "Bring me a morsel of bread in your hand."

ELIJAH did what the Lord instructed. He walked 80 miles to Zarephath. A step of faith can require a long journey.

           It seems Elijah talked to the first widow he met. And she responded to his request for a cup of water. But I wonder if Elijah had spoken to perhaps a dozen or so widows, and she is the first to say, "Yes." Others may have refused him. If so, they missed an extraordinary blessing of God's presence in their lives as Elijah and this woman are about to experience.

           It is easy, isn't it to say, "No." to a simple request for help. We're busy, and we have plans. There are things to get done. To say, "Yes." means we must stop what we're doing. We have to adjust our schedule to someone else. In addition, we don't know where our first, "Yes." will lead. What next will we have to do? But when we do hold back, we often miss God's next step for us on our pathway to his blessings.

           With the widow's first "Yes." She has taken her first step to extraordinary blessings to come from God. Then she takes a second step when Elijah requested "a morsel of bread".

           In this conversation, Elijah, too must be faithful to God. He is trusting God to provide for him as the Lord said he would. Elijah is expecting the Lord God to show himself through this widow. Through the widow's and the prophet's "Yes." to God, the Lord's blessings will flow into their lives.

           Saying, "Yes." to the little asks God directs to you is surely one key to unlocking God's plan for your life. As you step into new places with him, even when it means you must adjust your life to a simple request, God will show you more and more of himself. When you see him more clearly, you will more easily know, as Elijah did, where he wants you to be. In the right place, you will do the right work with him.

Prayer: Father in heaven, you create and sustain life. Open my eyes to see where I need to say, "Yes, Lord." In Jesus' name, amen.

1 Kings 17:8-9 Then the word of the Lord came to him, 9 "Arise, go to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and dwell there. Behold, I have commanded a widow there to feed you."

THINK for a moment about being in a very impossible physical existence. Because you obeyed God's commands, you are homeless. You have no friends, and, indeed, it seems you can trust no one. Your life is in danger because the authorities blame you for a severe drought. You have seen the Lord protect you. But now, your food is gone. What do you do?

    Then God comes to speak to tell you what he will do. Surely he has the answer! But he effectively says, "Leave the country. Go to a widow, a poor woman. She is so poor she has to scavenge for fire wood every day. But go. I've told her to care for you."

    Your response may be something like this: "Right, Lord. Here I am with nothing. No water, no food and no friends. You want me to walk some 80 miles through a drought-stricken land to find a widow? Most widows have very little to feed themselves and family. How can I expect a widow to care for me, too? I hope you know what you're doing."

    Perhaps, though, I'm wrong about Elijah's response. Clearly, Elijah is a man God has anointed to faithfully follow him. Elijah could have walked those 80 miles with great anticipation of what the Lord would do. Perhaps his response was more as, "Thank you, Lord, for providing another place to care for me. I will go there excited and hopeful to see what you will do. I'm looking forward to trusting my life even more completely into your hands. You have cared for me to this point. And I'm sure you will care for all I need in Zarephath."  

    I don't know Elijah's response. But a teaching moment from the Bible comes when we pause to consider the human frailty of anyone God anoints to do his work. We must see in the Bible that God called men and women into extraordinary tasks that are impossible without him. Our faith journeys are the same. Facing new, uncomfortable or even frightening tasks, we are often inclined to say, "But, Lord." as he daily, even hourly challenges us to say, "Yes, Lord."

    Which response is yours?

Prayer: Lord God, I confess there is no hour that passes when I do not need you. In Jesus' name, amen.

1 Kings 17:7 And after a while the brook dried up, because there was no rain in the land.

Uh-oh. We just looked at the ways the Lord provided for Elijah as the ravens fed him in the wilderness, and he drank from a brook. Now what do we say? The brook is dray. Water is gone for Elijah. Where is the Lord's provision? The short answer is, "God's provision is in the drought."

       To help us see how this is true, let's go back to the Exodus journey, much of which was through a desert. A well-known aspect of that journey is how God provided manna - a form of wafer-like sweet bread - to his people daily. Save for the Sabbath day, Israel collected it each morning as it fell dew-like upon the land.

       Three lessons come from the manna provision and Elijah's circumstance to help us understand how God's provision is in the drought. First, you see God's provision of your daily bread. Each day the bread came to Israel. Each day bread came to Elijah. The wilderness was no obstacle for God. Elijah will see how the drought will be no obstacle to the Lord as he will continue to provide Elijah's daily bread.

       Second, God provides true promises. Through Moses, God promised he would deliver the manna, and he did. Through Elijah, God promised Israel there would be a three-year drought. He promised Elijah he would care for him. God is true to his promises in judgment and in salvation.

       Third, trust the provision of God's commands. With the manna, God obeyed his own command to "Remember the Sabbath." He gave to Israel a double-portion of manna to gather on the sixth day of the week. Some did not believe and went out to get more on the Sabbath. The Lord rebuked them for their lack of faith. (Exodus 16:29) Israel's obedience restored order to the camp. The people rested, and God provided. Elijah obeyed the Lord's command to go to the desert. He did so, and God blessed him.

       God took Israel and Elijah into desert experiences, so they would truly know that even in drought, the Lord provides. Sometimes he takes us into a desert experience, too, for the same reason. Learn from this Scripture that if you are seeking answers to deal with a dry and weary time in your life, then believe God. His words are true. Know he has spoken to show you out of the drought. God's promises and commands provide order and blessing to your life.

       We'll see further evidence of this as God takes Elijah on the next step in his faith journey.

Prayer: Thank you, Father, for sending Jesus to fulfill your promise of providing a Savior, who feeds us the eternal Bread of Life. In his name we pray, amen.

August 10

Believe God

 

1 Kings 17:7 And after a while the brook dried up, because there was no rain in the land.

 

Uh-oh. We just looked at the ways the Lord provided for Elijah as the ravens fed him in the wilderness, and he drank from a brook. Now what do we say? The brook is dray. Water is gone for Elijah. Where is the Lord's provision? The short answer is, "God's provision is in the drought."

           To help us see how this is true, let's go back to the Exodus journey, much of which was through a desert. A well-known aspect of that journey is how God provided manna - a form of wafer-like sweet bread - to his people daily. Save for the Sabbath day, Israel collected it each morning as it fell dew-like upon the land.

           Three lessons come from the manna provision and Elijah's circumstance to help us understand how God's provision is in the drought. First, you see God's provision of your daily bread. Each day the bread came to Israel. Each day bread came to Elijah. The wilderness was no obstacle for God. Elijah will see how the drought will be no obstacle to the Lord as he will continue to provide Elijah's daily bread.

           Second, God provides true promises. Through Moses, God promised he would deliver the manna, and he did. Through Elijah, God promised Israel there would be a three-year drought. He promised Elijah he would care for him. God is true to his promises in judgment and in salvation.

           Third, trust the provision of God's commands. With the manna, God obeyed his own command to "Remember the Sabbath." He gave to Israel a double-portion of manna to gather on the sixth day of the week. Some did not believe and went out to get more on the Sabbath. The Lord rebuked them for their lack of faith. (Exodus 16:29) Israel's obedience restored order to the camp. The people rested, and God provided. Elijah obeyed the Lord's command to go to the desert. He did so, and God blessed him.

           God took Israel and Elijah into desert experiences, so they would truly know that even in drought, the Lord provides. Sometimes he takes us into a desert experience, too, for the same reason. Learn from this Scripture that if you are seeking answers to deal with a dry and weary time in your life, then believe God. His words are true. Know he has spoken to show you out of the drought. God's promises and commands provide order and blessing to your life.

           We'll see further evidence of this as God takes Elijah on the next step in his faith journey.

 

Prayer: Thank you, Father, for sending Jesus to fulfill your promise of providing a Savior, who feeds us the eternal Bread of Life. In his name we pray, amen.

1 Kings 17:5-6 So he went and did according to the word of the Lord. He went and lived by the brook Cherith that is east of the Jordan. 6 And the ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning, and bread and meat in the evening, and he drank from the brook.  

   AMAZING, isn't it? The ravens brought to Elijah his daily bread and meat. Just as surely as God gave to the Jews their daily manna in their journey to the Promised Land, God miraculously gave to Elijah his bread in the morning and his bread in the evening. Elijah lived in the reality of "Give us this day our dialy bread." (Matthew 6:11) Jesus taught us to pray as words of faith in God's provision.

    Let's stop to consider that praying for the Lord to "give us" must cause us to remember who provides for each aspect of our lives. Surely as we have food on our table in the morning and in the evening, we must remember it has miraculously come from God. Take nothing for granted. Be mindful your daily food is God's blessing pouring forth from heaven.

    Do you think Elijah thought of this each morning and each evening? Imagine his awe of God's care each time the ravens delivered the food. Oh, in his human desires, possibly he may have remembered some of the good vegetables and fruits he had enjoyed. He could have thought, "Bread and meat again?" wondering when his diet would return to normal.

    But I think it is more accurate to believe that this man anointed of God to a prophetic ministry would have spoken such words as, "Oh Lord God, hallowed be your name. May your kingdom come, may your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Forgive me this day my sins. Teach me to forgive those as Ahab who sin against me. Deliver me from the evil around me. I am so glad that your Kingdom is the power and the glory forever. Amen."

    Yes, this is the prayer of the faithful. I hope "The Lord's Prayer" is your prayer - not some words you say in rote repetition. Pray with a thankful heart and with spiritually open and grateful eyes lifted up to God. Know that each day is an experience of God's provision and protection over your life. Rejoice and live in faith of God's eternal provision for your soul.

            

Prayer: Thank you, God, for each element of my physical life. Most of all, thank you for my eternal life. In the Savior's name, amen.

1 Kings 17:3 "Depart from here and turn eastward and hide yourself by the brook Cherith, which is east of the Jordan. 4 You shall drink from the brook, and I have commanded the ravens to feed you there."

THE Lord God - the Almighty One of Absolute Control - assigned Elijah to tell King Ahab that a three-year drought was about to begin in Israel. No moisture, neither dew nor rain, would come upon the land for three years.

    Elijah faithfully delivered God's word to the evil Ahab. Then what happened? The Lord God, the Almighty One of Absolute Control, sent Elijah into a wilderness, away from the king. Why would God, who controlled all things, send Elijah into a wilderness to be fed by ravens? Wouldn't Elijah have a nice room at the local inn - with free room service and a daily massage - because he obeyed the Lord? Or why wouldn't God put his absolute power over Ahab to turn his heart to repentance?

    We've seen in Ezekiel, and we see throughout Scripture, that God gives leeway, some free will, to those who disobey him. We see this in our own lives, too. He allows us to sin and to error. What's more, the Bible - and our lives - tell us that obeying God doesn't mean we will live on a spiritual easy street. After all, the sinners killed Jesus for telling them the truth.

    In this "free will" and "suffering servant" context, it seems God sent Elijah into the "care of the crows" for two reasons. One was to protect Elijah from Ahab's wrath. As God let Ahab live in his sin, Ahab does not see Elijah's words as God's Word. Instead the sin-structured king would look upon Elijah as perhaps some magician. It was common for demon-inspired men and women to put curses upon people and over nature. Sorcery was a great sin among God's people and one reason for God's judgment on them. As Ahab followed such pagan ways, his mindset blamed Elijah as the cause of drought. Ahab was unbelieving that God would judge him. Delivering God's message, Elijah's life is at risk. Elijah needs protection.  

    The second reason God sent Elijah there is to teach Elijah a remarkable faith lesson. How has your faith grown? It has happened when you've experienced God coming to you in life-sustaining, life-changing ways. Perhaps he showed up with an unexpected check in the mail to cover overdue bills. Maybe he was the tender blessing a friend offered to you yesterday. Perhaps he delivered to you the child you've been praying for. We experience God when we step out in faith to seek him in prayer and to follow him to the spiritual and physical places he points us to go.  

    He told Elijah, "hide yourself by the brook Cherith" so Elijah could experience God's benevolent care. God is about to ask Elijah to do something very remarkable. Elijah needs the faith to do it. This wilderness experience will take him further into his faith journey with God.

    What do people do when you give them a word from the Lord? Or do you? Perhaps you're afraid to tell them the message God wants you to deliver to them. You don't trust God to care for you or the other person. Perhaps you're sure they will blame you for offering God's correction. But be assured "that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." (Philippians 1:6)

    Complete the tasks God gives to you. When you do, you will experience his Absolute Control more personally in your life. Your faith will grow stronger. Your trust will grow deeper. This is a faith journey. Celebrate the walk.

Prayer: Lord God, give to me the faith to do what you have given to me to do. In Jesus' name, amen.