Our staff devotion this week was from 1 Kings 17. It is the passage where Elijah told Ahab that there would be no rain or dew in the land accept at his word. The Lord proceeded to tell Elijah to go hide by the brook Cherith, which flows to the Jordan, and the ravens would feed him. So he went and did what the Lord had told him, and the ravens brought bread in the morning, and meat in the evening. After a while the brook dried up, because there had been no rain. If that was me, I may have seen that the brook was going to dry up and get all stressed out, and may have even tried to figure something out on my own. Elijah was faithful to God, and trusted Him for his care. Our pastor pointed out that even in the center of God’s will, the brook dried up. Elijah was not dependent on the provision, he was dependent on the Master. A great verse follows the brook drying up; “Then the word of the Lord came to him, saying, ‘Arise, go to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and dwell there. See, I have commanded a widow there to provide for you’” (1 Kings 17: 8-9). Following God’s path always equals Him caring for you, even if things look like there will be nothing, if we are grounded in Him, and following what He desires, He will lead you on the next path to take, and continue providing. My devotion this morning (Jesus Calling) correlated with yesterdays. It encouraged that I don’t plan, and try to anticipate what will happen in the future. Rather, that I “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17), and ask His Spirit to take charge of every detail of the day. This seems so easy to do, and can be if we are living in communion with Him. Daily discipline is a must. It’s funny, I don’t forget to eat breakfast, or drink water… how much more important it is for me to be in communion with my Maker, the One who loves me, and will care for me more than anyone (including myself) on this earth. Looking into the future takes my eyes off of the provision. “My soul, wait silently for God alone, For my expectation is from Him” (Psalm 62:5).
Father God, thank You for Your word, and speaking into my heart and mind. You always care for me. I don’t always obey and do what You command. Please lead me and guide me in Your ways, and help me to focus on You, and trust You wholly. “Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties; And see if there is any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting" (Psalm 139: 23 – 24). In Jesus Name, Amen.
Father God, thank You for Your word, and speaking into my heart and mind. You always care for me. I don’t always obey and do what You command. Please lead me and guide me in Your ways, and help me to focus on You, and trust You wholly. “Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties; And see if there is any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting" (Psalm 139: 23 – 24). In Jesus Name, Amen.
