Hebrews 6:10
February 7, 2024
FEAST OF SAINTS JOSEPHINE BAKHITA AND JEROME EMILIANI – 8th FEBRUARY
February 8, 2024
THE 7th OF FEBRUARY
GOD ASSIGNS EVEN BIRDS TO SERVE US IN TIMES OF NEED
And Elijah the Tishbite, of the inhabitants of Gilead, said to Ahab, “As the Lord God of Israel lives, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, except at my word.” Then the word of the Lord came to him, saying, “Get away from here and turn eastward, and hide by the Brook Cherith, which flows into the Jordan. And it will be that you shall drink from the brook, and I have commanded the ravens to feed you there.” So he went and did according to the word of the Lord. – 1 Kings 17:1-5 a
Elijah was one of the greatest prophets of the Old Testament. He never died a physical death, but was taken to heaven in a fiery chariot while his disciple Elisha was watching. Ahab had “done more evil than all the kings of Israel who were before him to anger the Lord God of Israel.” The sins of Ahab reached their highest point and by the message spoken through Elijah, God gave him the chance to repent.
The drought that was announced to Ahab by Elijah, was caused by the sins of the king and the people. Only because God protected Elijah, was he able to leave the King’s palace still alive. Ahab not only sinned against God and worshiped other gods, but he also allowed his wife Jezebel to kill the Lord’s prophets. Sometimes God sends us to places we consider dangerous. But we are safer wherever He sends us, than in any other place that we might consider secure. God protects and takes care of us, where He sends us. When we do not obey and do not do what He tells us to do, we step out of God’s protection and it costs us dearly.
Elijah had the courage to face Ahab because he knew that the Lord was with him. It is interesting that God did not tell him how He would take care of him during the drought, until after he obeyed and put his life in danger. Elijah had to go where God had prepared the supplies for him. God commanded the ravens to bring bread and meat to Elijah, twice a day, and he was to drink water from the brook. We do not know where the ravens received the food from for Elijah, but we do know they did their duty twice a day until the brook dried up. Then God prepared another place for Elijah to hide from Ahab’s sight and another miraculous source of food.
SUGGESTED PRAYER
Thank You Lord that as long as I live for You in obedience, You protect and take care of me daily. Please help me do Your will, even if my mind is fearful, or if others are trying to discourage me. Please help me never forget that the safest place is the place where You want me to be. Even as during the drought You commanded the ravens to bring meat and bread to Elijah and You kept him hidden from the king’s servants that wanted to kill him, I know that because I love and obey Your Word, You will take care of me too, no matter how strange my circumstances might be at times. Please help me always be sensitive to Your still small voice and be ready to obey what You direct me to do. In the Name of Jesus I pray. Amen.
Source: thetruthstandsforever
