Reading: I Kings 16-18
And Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the inhabitants of Gilead, said unto Ahab, As the Lord God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word(I Kings 17:1).
The northern kingdom of Israel was no stranger to bad leadership or wicked kings, but with the ascension of Ahab to the throne, they were plunged into an era of spiritual darkness deeper than any they had ever before experienced. And Ahab the son of Omri did evil in the sight of the Lord above all that were before him (I Kings 16:30). Ahab ruled side by side with his pagan queen, Jezebel (16:31). Under their rule, Baal worship became the national religion, and the worship of Jehovah, the One True God, was driven far underground. Ahab and his queen fiercely persecuted any who stood for the Lord, and as many prophets as could be found were rounded up and killed (18:4).
The Lord knoweth the days of the upright: and their inheritance shall be for ever. They shall not be ashamed in the evil time: and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied (Ps. 37:18-19). Despite the worst that Ahab and Jezebel could do, they could not stomp out the spark of faith in the hearts of the truly righteous. Elijah the Tishbite was such a man. A prophet of God, he dared to be bold in his faith regardless of the evil circumstances and possibly fatal consequences. Elijah answered the call of God and stood confidently before Ahab, proclaiming that the Lord would withhold rain from the evil land until such time as Elijah asked Him to send it again.
Elijah was a prophet of God, but he was also a man like any other. The drought affected him in the same manner as it did his neighbors. Yet, unlike those who were frantically crying out to Baal without any relief, Elijah felt no fear as all earthly sources of sustenance around him dried up (17:7). He trusted in the Lord to provide and patiently waited for Him to do so.
As the effects of the drought became dire, the Lord sent Elijah to a widow in Zarephath who, along with her young son, was on the verge of starvation (17:12). Elijah approached and asked for food and drink, and the woman responded in faith. She accepted the Lord’s promise to provide and used the last of her food to feed Elijah. Her faith was rewarded by a miracle. And she went and did according to the saying of Elijah: and she, and he, and her house, did eat many days. And the barrel of meal wasted not, neither did the cruse of oil fail, according to the word of the Lord, which he spake by Elijah (17:15-16).
As members of the body of Christ, we are expected to maintain our faith in Him regardless of the circumstances we find ourselves in. No matter what the situation, it is the Lord’s prerogative to provide for us in whatever manner He sees fit, and it is our spiritual obligation to trust that He will do so, even in the absence of physical proof. When we, by word and deed, confirm our belief in His faithfulness, as did both Elijah and the poor widow, we will find ourselves rewarded beyond our ability to comprehend.
That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ(I Pet. 1:7).
Thought for Today: If we consistently allow our worldly concerns to override our spiritual ones, we risk being chained to the world forever.
Christ Portrayed: By Elijah, whom God used to provide flour and oil for the needy widow at Zarephath (I Kings 17:13-16). Christ our Provider supplies all our needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus (Phil. 4:19).
Word Studies: 17:16 wasted not = was not used up; 18:4 cut off = murdered; 18:19 eat at Jezebel’s table = are provided for by Jezebel; 18:21 halt = waver, undecided.
Pray For Staff:Ryan McCrary • Government Officials: Rep. Tom Cole (OK), Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan • Country: Macedonia (2,087,171) in Southeastern Europe • Major Languages: Macedonian, Albanian • 64.7% Macedonian Orthodox; 33.3% Muslim; 0.37% Catholic; 1.63% Other/Unspecified • Prayer Suggestion: Pray that you will sanctify the Lord God in your heart (I Pet. 3:15).
Optional Reading:Romans 1