My focus this morning is the Prophet Elijah. Well, really it is THE LORD GODof the Prophet Elijah!
We are taking for granted that God provides for His Own. This is part of His very Essence. He delights in doing so, I believe.
Old Testament: “For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: NO GOOD THING will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.” Psalm 84:11
And New Testament: “But my God SHALL SUPPLY all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19
With Elijah I can see God both “creating” needs, and “providing” needs, looks like simultaneously, all according to His perfect Wisdom, His Plan and Divine Work.
One day, in a time of dearth … “The word of the LORD came unto Elijah, saying, Get thee hence, and turn thee eastward, and hide thyself by THE BROOK CHERETH, that is before Jordan. And it shall be, that thou shalt DRINK of the brook; and I have commanded the ravens to feed thee there. So he went and did according unto the word of the LORD: for he went and dwelt by the brook Cherith, that is before Jordan. And the ravens brought him bread and flesh in the morning, and bread and flesh in the evening; AND HE DRANK OF THE BROOK. And it came to pass after a while, that the brook dried up, because there had been no rain in the land.” 1 Kings 17:2-7
God provided the brook! In fact … food as well! Sustenance from God’s miraculous Bounty!
Then one day … “The brook dried up!” God “took away” the brook!
Like Job suffering said: “The LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.” Job 1:21
But while Elijah’s brook dissipated, God was already at work on the “other end” of the situation!
The Word of the Lord to Elijah again: “Arise, get thee to Zarephath, which belongeth to Zidon, and dwell there: behold, I have commanded a widow woman there TO SUSTAIN thee.” 1 Kings 17:9
Problem solved!
Did God do this to show His Power to an ungodly world?
Did God do this to strengthen Elijah’s faith?
Did God do this to strengthen my faith, your faith? Yes, these thousands of years later!
Or did God do this because HE IS GOD?
Or, as they say, “ALL OF THE ABOVE?”
Back to the Lesson title … God working on “both ends” of the situation!
And I will guarantee you … He is doing the very same thing in your life this morning!
This morning!
Lamentations 3:22-23 … “It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new EVERY MORNING: great is thy faithfulness.”
Amen!
God’s very Nature to His children … “Blessed be the Lord, who DAILY loadeth us with BEBEFITS, even the God of our salvation.” Psalm 68:19, “Selah!”
— Dr. Mike Bagwell
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