God Speaks
The Prophet Elijah
Verse of the Day: At the time of sacrifice, the prophet Elijah stepped forward and prayed: “LORD, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, let it be known today that You are God in Israel and that I am Your servant and have done all these things at Your command. Answer me, LORD, answer me, so these people will know that You, LORD, are God, and that You are turning their hearts back again.” (1 Kings 18:36-37 NIV)
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Watch TBR Day 178
We Respond
Reflection:
Consider the following questions regarding I Kings 17-19
> 1. What does this chapter tell me about God?
> 2. What does this chapter tell me about the human beings He created?
Here is one possible answer to each of these questions. Ask the Holy Spirit if there are any others for you personally to ponder.
I Kings 17
1. God will provide for our needs in the midst of great difficulty; He will even bring back our breath and/or life, if we will submit and cry out to Him.
2. People need to trust and obey the LORD in everything.
I Kings 18
1. The LORD God can do what no other “substitute god” can do. He can do the impossible–burn up meat, wood, water, stone, dirt and bring rain after a long drought.
2. People need to wait, watch God work and loudly proclaim, “The LORD is God!” when they see what He does.
I Kings 19
1. God knows how to help someone who is fearful, discouraged and depressed. He sees that they get adequate rest, proper nourishment, sufficient hydration, plenty of exercise, a right perspective on God, counseling in the truth, and a new mission in life.
2. People are often susceptible to attacks from the enemy of our souls (the devil) after a great spiritual victory.
Prayer:
How might I pray regarding I Kings 17-19?
Dear LORD God, You have sovereign supervision over everything. You provided for Elijah during the long drought; You provide for me as well, even during my drought times. You provided life sustaining food daily for the widow in Zarephath and restored life to her son. I commit to trusting You daily and looking to You to bring eternal life to the ones I love. Just as You had Elijah reassure Obadiah that he would meet with Ahab, please assuage my fears and “what ifs” so that I can obey whatever You tell me. Please help me to stand strong and confident in You as Elijah did, when I face the challenges of those who oppose You and Your principles and commands. Help me to be patient and persistent as Elijah was in waiting for You to send the rain You had promised. Thank you for all the ways You ministered to Elijah in his time of depression and discouragement in the desert. Show me how I can assist someone going through similar difficulties. You truly are the God of all comfort. Please bless and encourage all of Your chosen ones so that we can obey You and bring You glory, LORD. AMEN
Action:
(Ask God, the Holy Spirit, if He wants you to work on one of the suggestions below or something else more personal that He points out.)
> 4. What action does the LORD want me to take in response to I Kings 17-19?
With the help of God’s Holy Spirit:
- I will trust and cooperate with God in meeting my basic needs.
- I will look to God to do the impossible after I have done what is possible on my end in my current situation.
- I will help someone suffering from depression (including myself when necessary) by using the activities suggested in I Kings 19.
- I will be on the alert and record what I see God doing around me and praise Him for it.
Share:
I plan to share what I’ve learned with __________.