March 28: Following His Guidance.
HIS AID.
And yet Elijah was sent to none of them [many widows in Israel], but only to Zarephath, in the land of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow.--Luke 4:26
Mount Carmel was a very impressive site. There is an imposing statue of Elijah triumphantly raising a sword after his showdown with the prophets of Baal. God had sent fire from heaven in response to His servant. And this is the way we like to see God's prophets: strong, victorious, and assured. But what about when they became weak, discouraged, and depressed? Did God still guide them then?
Jesus mentioned Elijah in His Sabbath-morning sermon in Nazareth: "There were many widows In Israel in the days of Elijah, when the sky was shut up for three years and six months...and yet Elijah was sent to none of them, but only to Zaraphath, in the land of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow" (Luke 4:25, 26). Giving an example of the inclusivity of God's grace, Jesus pointed out that during this period of drought, God sent Elijah to the house of a widow in Sidon, outside of the land of Israel. It was in this house that the continuous miracle of the never-ending flour and oil occurred (1 Kings 17). Elijah even raised the widow's son from death! God first guided His prophet there and then back to Israel, where the final showdown occurred on Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18), and rain came upon the land. God always aided Elijah in everything, even giving him specific instructions where to go and what to do to represent Him to the people. Yet after God showed Himself strong against the prophets of Baal, Elijah became afraid of Jezebel, the evil queen. Exhausted, he became depressed and even suicidal (1 Kings 19:1-4). Yet God did not abandon him. He sent a heavenly messenger, who brought him food! Elijah slept, ate, and walked until he got to Horeb, where God revealed Himself to him in a still small Voice. There was more for him to do, and God would be his Aid and his guide, as He had always been. The God of the mountaintop is also the God of the valleys. His grace is sufficient for us, and in our weakness we're still in His grip. He is our Savior and, as He did on the cross, He comes to our aid at our lowest point, doing for us what we can't do for ourselves.
My Response:_________________________________________________________
HIS AID.
And yet Elijah was sent to none of them [many widows in Israel], but only to Zarephath, in the land of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow.--Luke 4:26
Mount Carmel was a very impressive site. There is an imposing statue of Elijah triumphantly raising a sword after his showdown with the prophets of Baal. God had sent fire from heaven in response to His servant. And this is the way we like to see God's prophets: strong, victorious, and assured. But what about when they became weak, discouraged, and depressed? Did God still guide them then?
Jesus mentioned Elijah in His Sabbath-morning sermon in Nazareth: "There were many widows In Israel in the days of Elijah, when the sky was shut up for three years and six months...and yet Elijah was sent to none of them, but only to Zaraphath, in the land of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow" (Luke 4:25, 26). Giving an example of the inclusivity of God's grace, Jesus pointed out that during this period of drought, God sent Elijah to the house of a widow in Sidon, outside of the land of Israel. It was in this house that the continuous miracle of the never-ending flour and oil occurred (1 Kings 17). Elijah even raised the widow's son from death! God first guided His prophet there and then back to Israel, where the final showdown occurred on Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18), and rain came upon the land. God always aided Elijah in everything, even giving him specific instructions where to go and what to do to represent Him to the people. Yet after God showed Himself strong against the prophets of Baal, Elijah became afraid of Jezebel, the evil queen. Exhausted, he became depressed and even suicidal (1 Kings 19:1-4). Yet God did not abandon him. He sent a heavenly messenger, who brought him food! Elijah slept, ate, and walked until he got to Horeb, where God revealed Himself to him in a still small Voice. There was more for him to do, and God would be his Aid and his guide, as He had always been. The God of the mountaintop is also the God of the valleys. His grace is sufficient for us, and in our weakness we're still in His grip. He is our Savior and, as He did on the cross, He comes to our aid at our lowest point, doing for us what we can't do for ourselves.
My Response:_________________________________________________________
RSS Feed
