August 8 The Lord Provides

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.