August 17 Confess God is Life

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.