Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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Stepping Into God's Perfect Plan

Bible Reading: 1 Kings 19:18-21

Key verse: ““Yet I reserve seven thousand in Israel – all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal and whose mouths have not kissed him.” 1st Kings 19:18


DEVOTION

In today’s devotional passage, the focus shifts to one of God’s most esteemed prophets, Elijah. In 1st Kings 19, Elijah is found running for his life. He was a wanted man who had just won a great victory for the God of Israel by eliminating the false prophets of Baal and Asherah. His fleeing correlates to how faith can wax and wane in the life of a believer, and ultimately, opens the door for a greater reliance on God, irrespective of circumstances.
 
King Ahab and Queen Jezebel, wicked rulers of Israel in Elijah’s time, were leading people away from the God of Israel to the worship of false gods. Thus, true prophets were hunted, lawlessness abounded in the land, and genuine faith was in short supply. Israel was long overdue for a course correction, and Elijah was positioned to captain the revival.
 
Despite persecution and difficulty, there were many people who feared God and walked faithfully. This is a recurring theme that is seen throughout the Bible. Perilous times open the door for great faith. The question for modern-day Christianity is who will walk by faith? In the West, the problem oftentimes is not adversity, but rather, abundance. Many do not turn to God because there is simply no apparent need for God in seasons of surplus. In contrast, the true prophets/believers of Elijah’s time were hunted. If the current climate of this world is any indicator, then times are only going to become more dangerous for the faithful people of God.
 
Elijah ran away, not realizing that God had raised other faithful people alongside him for such a time. He was reasonably afraid and felt alone. Our Lord walks with us in the pain of adversity and comforts us in times of great tribulation. God himself provided food and drink for Elijah as he was in hiding and in fear for his life. What felt like a storm was actually God’s perfect timing to turn the tide and bring restoration to Israel. Elijah simply needed to be still to see the hand of God move in his life. After receiving the rest that only His Creator could offer, Elijah returned to the battlefield of faith and went out to meet Elisha.
 
Let this passage be a reminder to us that even though we may feel hopeless or lacking faith at times, our Lord Jesus Christ is faithful. God understands our circumstances better than we do, and He asks that we step out in faith and return to the battlefield as Elijah did. As Christ’s followers, we have a great responsibility on our hands. In Christ, we have freedom, and freedom comes with a cost. Our lives were bought at a great price that we cannot fathom. Let us live our lives in faithful response to His unending faithfulness.
 

PRAYER

Father God, Your servants look to You at the start of this new year. Knowing full well that we cannot do any good thing apart from You. Lord Jesus, abide in us. Remind us that our setbacks and delays are not obstacles for You. Redeem our thoughts, words, deeds, and time. Let us seek You daily as You pour Yourself out into us. Accomplish Your purposes through us, as we learn to trust Your perfect timing. Amen

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

You are our daily bread, You are our daily bread
And we will seek Your face before we seek Your hand
– Kari Jobe and Pat Barrett

Christin Mathew
Epiphany MTC, Queens, NY

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