Devotional - Mar. 26, 2025

Scripture: 1 Kings 17: 13-16 Elijah said to her, “Don’t be afraid. Go home and do as you have said. But first make a small loaf of bread for me from what you have and bring it to me, then make something for yourself and your son.  For this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the Lord sends rain on the land.’”  She went away and did as Elijah had told her. So there was food every day for Elijah and for the woman and her family.  For the jar of flour was not used up and the jug of oil did not run dry, in keeping with the word of the Lord spoken by Elijah.

In the last devotional, the lady asked, what can your LORD God do for my situation, and for that matter, yours (v 12) during this time of drought?  Asked and answered.  Many times in the Old Testament, God will use an introduction that references others that have gone before. "I am the God of your father(s), the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob" (Exodus 3:6).  God does so to comfort and encourage the one being spoken to; in this case, it is Moses.  Just as God had been for them, God will be for Moses.  If you know the history of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, ... and Moses, you know they made mistakes and struggled, but God was faithful.  Knowing this, Elijah can tell the lady with confidence, do not be afraid.  God has said and God will provide.  Do we put God to the test when we want something, saying God will provide it?  No (Matthew 4:7).  But we can believe God will provide for our needs as we follow God.  Jesus encouraged His disciples with the same sentiment when he said, "peace (shalom) be with you, as the Father has sent me, so I send you" (John 20:21).  May the faithfulness and love of God grant you peace (shalom) for your journeys in life.

Pray with me..., Holy God we give You praise for the many ways You bless us with Your faithfulness.  Hear us as we lift to You those we hold near and dear to our hearts...  We ask Your blessing on our church so we can be the people you call us to be, in Jesus name, Amen.

God's peace,

Pastor Brian