From Psalm 70, David’s appeal to God was made because he was in a difficult time as his enemies had him where they wanted him.
We may not have enemies coming after us but there are pressing challenges to take on in life as work piles up and tough issues have to be faced. If we daily prepare by reading God’s Word, reflection, and prayer, we can be confident because prayer and listening to God through His Word prepares us to make accurate decisions with quick action.
A poem posted at my other blog Step Ahead is inspired by “Strength in You” pointing out that you have certain strengths or gifts God has given. Through the Spirit, discover your gifts for the express purpose of kingdom building. God thinks you are AWESOME! Focus on what you can do and not on what you wish you could do. Then what seemed to be impossible will become possible.
As pointed out in the song You Say by Lauren Daigle, the world wants to tell you that you will never measure up but God tells you to never give up. Believe in what God thinks of you. Find your worth, identify as His child, and renew your strength day by day.
The testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. - James 1:3-4
From the study “He Guides and Provides”, Elijah took steps right where he was to listen to God; to start spreading faith so that one day a healing rain would come to the area and the crops would grow to produce a harvest so the people would be lacking nothing.
Listen to the song Healing Rain by Michael W. Smith. The world can be a brutal place with alcohol, drug abuse, financial crises, etc. but be patient. Even though your faith is being tested, don’t be afraid as the song says. Be washed in heaven’s healing rain by the great I Am and lack nothing.
The world can lead down the wrong path. We can see it all around with drugs and alcohol abuse. With health and financial issues. There is either too much rain with some parts of the world receiving lots of rain and other parts none at all. The world can be brutal but have faith my friend like the man below.
*A group of people were meeting in a rural community to pray for rain. One man brought an umbrella. That is faith!
As we remember the previous passages studied, the religious and moral climate had become appalling because of the poor leadership of the kings who worshiped idols. As we read today in 1 Kings 17, this angered God so a drought was brought on which led to famine.
Being guided by God leads to harmony, peace, and joy. The way of the world leads to strife, war, hunger, and ultimate death. In today’s passage, we are told about a drought and noted is that God gave Elijah guidance as He told Elijah to stay beside a river. God told him that the birds would bring him food.
God not only provides but also guides and His resources are plentiful as noted in the life of a widow who was running out of cooking oil and flour. She was going to make the last meal for herself and her son. Then she met Elijah who promised that God would replenish her flour and oil. Each time she made more bread, there was more flour and oil available for preparation of the next meal.
For us today, the grace received because of Jesus’ death on the cross is replenished for us. The grace available to us is like the cooking oil and flour that never runs out. It keeps feeding the soul forever!
This day with God, the takeaway is that Elijah took steps right where he was to listen to God; to start spreading faith so that one day a healing rain would come to the area and the crops would grow to produce a harvest.
Lord, You can get us through it all with Your guidance and with what You provide. We may have droughts in life but You are big enough to meet our needs. We pray now that You are at work making sure we are guided along the path to brighter days ahead and that we receive what is needed as we take each step along this path. Amen.
*Peters, Ben. “Six Little Stories With Lots of Meaning – Creator Villa.” Creator Villa, 17 Jan. 2021, https://creatorvilla.com/six-little-stories-with-lots-of-meaning/.
We are nearing the end of our journey through the book of 1 Kings with seven more chapters to go. We will continue to be focused on the purpose of this blog as we continue to use it in helping us to apply His Word in our life. I’ve found it to be a great tool in my journey through the Bible and you, my readers are keeping me accountable to daily Bible reading and study.
We live in a busy world with busy schedules and being able to share some thoughts about this journey with others across this world through the Internet is truly a blessing. Questions for Reflection will stimulate thought and offer ideas for applying biblical principles at work, at home, and in all we do.
Here is a link to all the devotionals done so far
Anyone can join in as we journey together.
Also, the concepts presented in God’s Perfect Timing offer ideas for using our time wisely and the lessons of God’s Plan for Us gives a method towards making an impact in the world in which we live.
The reading plan below will be used to hold me accountable to sharing about God’s word. As I share about my study of the book of 1 Kings over the next few weeks, it’s important to have a plan. I’m thankful that Jesus is God’s plan for us and by accepting Christ as Savior; we have taken the steps necessary to make this day amazing!
Questions for Reflection
1 Kings 17– What seems to be the religious and moral climate now? What are you learning about God’s work through the events of your life? How is God using you in other people’s lives? How do you know?
1 Kings 18 – What is Ahab’s attitude towards Elijah? Why do you think Baal doesn’t answer? What recent experience in your life has caused you to say, “The Lord, He is God”?
1 Kings 19 – What is Jazebel’s reaction to the Mount Carmel Incident? What are the reasons for Elijah’s depression and sense of failure? Which of Elijah’s needs does God meet first? To what extent do you try to meet another person’s needs?
1 Kings 20 – Why does God give Ben-Hadad into Ahab’s hands? What is God seeking to teach Ahab? Why do you think Ahab spares Ben-Hadad? What is Ahab’s attitude toward God’s judgment?
1 Kings 21 – What qualities of life does Jezebel reveal in this incident? For what reasons do you let other people influence you to do evil? How does Ahab’s repentance affect God’s announced punishment?
1 Kings 22 – What is different about Micaiah’s prophecy with that of the others? What does his story teach about God? What do verses 8,16,18, 26-28, 30 reveal about Ahab’s real attitude to truth? How do you react to parts of scripture that reprove and correct you?
Feel free to respond with a short note or a comment about any of the questions above. Also, I welcome any other thoughts or ideas, favorite inspirational videos, photos, or favorite Bible verses. Just add them to the comments or to a Facebook page I’ve set up at this link: This Day With God.
To store up thoughts that are good for the soul, listen to a sermon. Download the free app in the App Store or on Google Play. Look for First Waco.
Resources and Supplementary Helps Used in Posts
Adeney, Carol. This Morning with God: A Daily Study Guide to the Entire Bible. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity, 1978. Print.
“Sermons.” Sermons | FUMC Waco. N.p., n.d. Web. <https://fumcwaco.org/resources/sermons/>.
“Bible.” The Bible – The Word of God – ChristNotes. N.p., n.d. Web. 2017. <http://www.christianity.com/bible/>.
Nicholes, Lou. “Recent Commentaries.” Family-Times.net – Devotional Commentary Index. N.p., n.d. Web. <http://www.family-times.net/commentary/>.
“Bing.” Microsoft. N.p., n.d. Web. Images >.
“BibleGateway.” BibleGateway.com: A Searchable Online Bible in over 150 Versions and 50 Languages. N.p., n.d. Web. <https://www.biblegateway.com/>.
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