Depend on God 04.28.08

Hello My Friend/Guest,

It is Monday April 28, 2008 and today we are continuing our study on the book of I Kings. Please read Chapters 16-18 in your Bible or Click Here to read. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=I%20Kings%2016-18&version=9

Today we will read and learn about the evil kings of Israel; Elijah, the prophet, Elijah's announcement of drought; Elijah fed by ravens and the widow; him raising the widow's son; and his contest with prophets of Baal. Today's message focuses on the importance of realizing that God will always take care of our needs, but in order to do that we must depend on Him and put our trust and faith in Him to get us through all of our difficulties.

With Ahab's reign began a new and very ungodly era in the history of Israel. Idolatry and wickedness flourished. Following his marriage to Jezebel and the establishment of Phoenecian idolatry, Ahab introduced Jezebel's worship of Baal as the religion of the nation. "And in the thirty and eighth year of Asa king of Judah began Ahab the son of Omri to reign over Israel: and Ahab the son of Omri reigned over Israel in Samaria twenty and two years. And Ahab the son of Omri did evil in the sight of the LORD above all that were before him. And it came to pass, as if it had been a light thing for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, that he took to wife Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Zidonians, and went and served Baal, and worshipped him. And he reared up an altar for Baal in the house of Baal, which he had built in Samaria. And Ahab made a grove; and Ahab did more to provoke the LORD God of Israel to anger than all the kings of Israel that were before him." (I Kings 16:29-33).

During his reign, true Israelite worshipers were unpopular and feared for their lives. Then, the prophet Elijah boldly declared to Ahab the there will be no rain in the land for years. "And Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the inhabitants of Gilead, said unto Ahab, As the LORD God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word." (17:1).

In times of extremity God reveals Himself as the source of our daily necessities, God provided Elijah with what he needed. "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." (17:5-6). Then the water of the brook on which Elijah had depended gradually diminished and disappeared. When genuine faith is tested, it brings glory to God and works for the good of the believer who put their trust in HIm. "And the word of the LORD came unto him, saying, Arise, get thee to Zarephath, which belongeth to Zidon, and dwell there: behold, I have commanded a widow woman there to sustain thee." (17:8-9). Elijah put his trust in God as did the widow women and they were both blessed. "And Elijah said unto her, Fear not; go and do as thou hast said: but make me thereof a little cake first, and bring it unto me, and after make for thee and for thy son. For thus saith the LORD God of Israel, The barrel of meal shall not waste, neither shall the cruse of oil fail, until the day that the LORD sendeth rain upon the earth. And she went and did according to the saying of Elijah: and she, and he, and her house, did eat many days. And the barrel of meal wasted not, neither did the cruse of oil fail, according to the word of the LORD, which he spake by Elijah." (17:13-16).

Christians are the representatives of God and are here to confirm His faithfulness. Our attitude, words and actions must all declare that He alone is our true and infallible Source of supply. It is imperative, therefore, and supremely so in financial matters, that we be in a true sense independent of men and wholly dependent upon God. If there is any weakness here, He will be robbed of the glory that is due only to Him. As God's servants, we must show forth the abundance of His spiritual resources and rely on Him for all things.

After 31/2 years of no rain, Elijah again, approached the king and informed him that Israel's drought was the result of he and his house rejecting the Commandments of the LORD. "And he answered, I have not troubled Israel; but thou, and thy father's house, in that ye have forsaken the commandments of the LORD, and thou hast followed Baalim. Now therefore send, and gather to me all Israel unto mount Carmel, and the prophets of Baal four hundred and fifty, and the prophets of the groves four hundred, which eat at Jezebel's table." (18:18-19). He then challenged the 850 false prophets to call on the name of their gods to consume their sacrifice. "Then said Elijah unto the people, I, even I only, remain a prophet of the LORD; but Baal's prophets are four hundred and fifty men. Let them therefore give us two bullocks; and let them choose one bullock for themselves, and cut it in pieces, and lay it on wood, and put no fire under: and I will dress the other bullock, and lay it on wood, and put no fire under: And call ye on the name of your gods, and I will call on the name of the LORD: and the God that answereth by fire, let him be God. And all the people answered and said, It is well spoken. And Elijah said unto the prophets of Baal, Choose you one bullock for yourselves, and dress it first; for ye are many; and call on the name of your gods, but put no fire under." (18:22-25).

After a full day of Jezebel's prophets frantically praying to no avail, "And it came to pass, when midday was past, and they prophesied until the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that there was neither voice, nor any to answer, nor any that regarded." (18:29). Elijah called the people to witness what God can do, "And he put the wood in order, and cut the bullock in pieces, and laid him on the wood, and said, Fill four barrels with water, and pour it on the burnt sacrifice, and on the wood. And he said, Do it the second time. And they did it the second time. And he said, Do it the third time. And they did it the third time. And the water ran round about the altar; and he filled the trench also with water. And it came to pass at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near, and said, LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that thou art God in Israel, and that I am thy servant, and that I have done all these things at thy word. Hear me, O LORD, hear me, that this people may know that thou art the LORD God, and that thou hast turned their heart back again. Then the fire of the LORD fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench." (18:33-38).

What a great sight that must have been to see God working and proving to all the false prophets that there in only One True God. Elijah illustrates how the power of God is released when we pray and are obedient to His Word.

In today's message Jesus Christ is revealed through Elijah, whose faith God provided flour and oil for the needy widow at Zarephath (I Kings 17:13-16). Christ is our Provider, "But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:19).

Today's Psalm: 55:17
"Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice."

Today's Prayer: From Psalm 86
Bow down thine ear, O LORD, hear me: for I am poor and needy. Preserve my soul; for I am holy: O thou my God, save thy servant that trusteth in thee. Be merciful unto me, O Lord: for I cry unto thee daily. Rejoice the soul of thy servant: for unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul. For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee. Give ear, O LORD, unto my prayer; and attend to the voice of my supplications. In the day of my trouble I will call upon thee: for thou wilt answer me. Among the gods there is none like unto thee, O Lord; neither are there any works like unto thy works. All nations whom thou hast made shall come and worship before thee, O Lord; and shall glorify thy name. For thou art great, and doest wondrous things: thou art God alone. Teach me thy way, O LORD; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name. I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart: and I will glorify thy name for evermore. For great is thy mercy toward me: and thou hast delivered my soul from the lowest hell.

Have a wonderful Monday and week.
God Bless,
Christina

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