October 30, 2013
It's a basic truth that many can attest to: God provides. Despite circumstances and resources, our Father provides for the needs of His people. And, there is one powerful passage that provides real life examples of amazing provision.
"The word of the LORD came to him, saying, 'Go away from here and turn eastward, and hide yourself by the brook Cherith, which is east of the Jordan. It shall be that you will drink of the brook, and I have commanded the ravens to provide for you there.' So he went and did according to the word of the LORD, for he went and lived by the brook Cherith,which is east of the Jordan. The ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning and bread and meat in the evening, and he would drink from the brook." (1 Kings 17.2-6)
During an extreme drought, God graciously and miraculously provides daily food and water for His faithful servant, Elijah. But, the story gets even more interesting: "It happened after a while that the brook dried up, because there was no rain in the land. Then the word of the LORD came to him, saying, 'Arise, go to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and stay there; behold, I have commanded a widow there to provide for you.' " (1 Kings 17.7-9)
As the story unfolds, we learn about this widow, who is down to her last bit of flour and oil. Faithful in following Elijah's instructions, the promise is made: "For thus says the LORD God of Israel, 'The bowl of flour shall not be exhausted, nor shall the jar of oil be empty, until the day that the LORD sends rain on the face of the earth.' " (1 Kings 17.14)
Were this whole narrative some allegorical story illustrating a truth, we might view it differently. Fact is, it's a factual account of real people and circumstances. It DID happen, and serves as a precedent for an unfolding miracle even to this day. Yahweh God continues to meet the needs of His people.
Rarely is there a time in which some form of hardship or crisis does not come to God's people. Gas prices escalate. Or food prices. Or insurance premiums. Wages are cut. Unemployment suddenly threatens. Yet, amidst an ever unrolling set of challenges, God's steady hand always provides.
Perhaps we have taken for granted His provision. As those living amidst a prosperous culture, it's much too easy to view the provision and miss the Provider. That which we have is truly a gift, and should provoke profound gratitude for the Giver.
God provides. Whether in seemingly subtle ways in times of prosperity, or in dramatic ways in times of crisis, may we ever be aware, and eternally grateful.
Steve
©Steve Taylor, 2013
Be sure to also visit http://thetruthrevolution.wordpress.com/
Amazon ebook devotional - http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FQ1Q9GW
"The word of the LORD came to him, saying, 'Go away from here and turn eastward, and hide yourself by the brook Cherith, which is east of the Jordan. It shall be that you will drink of the brook, and I have commanded the ravens to provide for you there.' So he went and did according to the word of the LORD, for he went and lived by the brook Cherith,which is east of the Jordan. The ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning and bread and meat in the evening, and he would drink from the brook." (1 Kings 17.2-6)
During an extreme drought, God graciously and miraculously provides daily food and water for His faithful servant, Elijah. But, the story gets even more interesting: "It happened after a while that the brook dried up, because there was no rain in the land. Then the word of the LORD came to him, saying, 'Arise, go to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and stay there; behold, I have commanded a widow there to provide for you.' " (1 Kings 17.7-9)
As the story unfolds, we learn about this widow, who is down to her last bit of flour and oil. Faithful in following Elijah's instructions, the promise is made: "For thus says the LORD God of Israel, 'The bowl of flour shall not be exhausted, nor shall the jar of oil be empty, until the day that the LORD sends rain on the face of the earth.' " (1 Kings 17.14)
Were this whole narrative some allegorical story illustrating a truth, we might view it differently. Fact is, it's a factual account of real people and circumstances. It DID happen, and serves as a precedent for an unfolding miracle even to this day. Yahweh God continues to meet the needs of His people.
Rarely is there a time in which some form of hardship or crisis does not come to God's people. Gas prices escalate. Or food prices. Or insurance premiums. Wages are cut. Unemployment suddenly threatens. Yet, amidst an ever unrolling set of challenges, God's steady hand always provides.
Perhaps we have taken for granted His provision. As those living amidst a prosperous culture, it's much too easy to view the provision and miss the Provider. That which we have is truly a gift, and should provoke profound gratitude for the Giver.
God provides. Whether in seemingly subtle ways in times of prosperity, or in dramatic ways in times of crisis, may we ever be aware, and eternally grateful.
Steve
©Steve Taylor, 2013
Be sure to also visit http://thetruthrevolution.wordpress.com/
Amazon ebook devotional - http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FQ1Q9GW
posted by steve @ 8:42 AM
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