During the time period of the Kings, Israel didn’t forsake God, but they mixed faith in Him with faith in gods of fertility and rain. Perhaps they were thinking: It can’t hurt to ask a few more gods for a bountiful harvest, right?
Amid that spiritually dark landscape, one person stood out because of his different approach. The prophet Elijah stood strong in faith even though, as James reminds us, he “was as human as we are” (James 5:17).
In 1 Kings 17, Elijah literally trusted God for his next meal, living out Matthew 6:31-33: “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need.”
Famine was in the air. How would Elijah find food? But Elijah didn’t need to worry. For the Lord said, “Hide by Kerith Brook, near where it enters the Jordan River. Drink from the brook and eat what the ravens bring you, for I have commanded them to bring you food” (1 Kings 17:3-4). Kerith Brook was a seasonal stream that supplied water only during the winter rains. Surely, the water supply wouldn’t last through the drought of Elijah’s day. And ravens? They were considered to be unclean creatures! (Leviticus 11:13-15). Yet, despite that, we read: “Elijah did as the Lord told him” (1 Kings 17:5).
Elijah showed us that we can live by faith, for God is faithful. Every day the ravens brought him food; and every day the grain and oil was replenished—just as God had promised. Like Elijah, let’s follow God by faith today.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: 1 Corinthians 13:1-13
More:
Read Psalm 25:10 to see how God faithfully leads those He loves.
Next:
How are you resting in God’s promises, instead of seeking other sources for help? What promises of His do you cling to today?
1Thessalonians4:17 on November 24, 2011 at 3:35 am
GOD is so faithful. 🙂
Alvin on November 24, 2011 at 7:44 am
Thanks for the WOrd… Faith, faith, faith!!! Then action, action, action! 🙂
mmarks66 on November 24, 2011 at 8:27 am
I always need to be reminded of this very thing, that God will provide everything I need and I just have to trust in hin. It is so easy to fall backwards and start to worry again… God is so good and always faithful….
Thank you God for everything
GChoo on November 24, 2011 at 10:52 am
How wonderful that we believe in the one and only living and faithful God.
Your devo today reminds me of the time when i had lost my wedding band. I looked everywhere in the house but couldn’t find it. It was only then that i called out to God for help. Kind of lost hope of finding it back when God sent an unwelcome housefly to retrieve my ring. The housefly was hovering round me and onto my leg when i suddenly saw a sparkle in the grass which the sun was shining on it. I couldn’t believe i found my ring. I was so thankful that God could use an irritating insect to locate my lost ring.
The incident made me realised that when we have faith in God, He will always be there for us to provide and see us through all circumstances. He may not give us what we ask for but He will give what is best for us. May we continue to remind ourselves to trust our faithful God for everything and in everything. Thank you God.
Happy Thanksgiving Day!