Devotionals for October 16, 2023
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READ
1 KINGS 18:41-46
41 Then Elijah said to Ahab, “Go get something to eat and drink, for I hear a mighty rainstorm coming!”
42 So Ahab went to eat and drink. But Elijah climbed to the top of Mount Carmel and bowed low to the ground and prayed with his face between his knees.
43 Then he said to his servant, “Go and look out toward the sea. "The servant went and looked, then returned to Elijah and said, “I didn’t see anything.” Seven times Elijah told him to go and look.
44 Finally the seventh time, his servant told him, “I saw a little cloud about the size of a man’s hand rising from the sea.”
Then Elijah shouted, “Hurry to Ahab and tell him, ‘Climb into your chariot and go back home. If you don’t hurry, the rain will stop you!’”
45 And soon the sky was black with clouds. A heavy wind brought a terrific rainstorm, and Ahab left quickly for Jezreel.
46 Then the Lord gave special strength to Elijah. He tucked his cloak into his belt and ran ahead of Ahab’s chariot all the way to the entrance of Jezreel.
41 Then Elijah said to Ahab, “Go get something to eat and drink, for I hear a mighty rainstorm coming!”
42 So Ahab went to eat and drink. But Elijah climbed to the top of Mount Carmel and bowed low to the ground and prayed with his face between his knees.
43 Then he said to his servant, “Go and look out toward the sea. "The servant went and looked, then returned to Elijah and said, “I didn’t see anything.” Seven times Elijah told him to go and look.
44 Finally the seventh time, his servant told him, “I saw a little cloud about the size of a man’s hand rising from the sea.”
Then Elijah shouted, “Hurry to Ahab and tell him, ‘Climb into your chariot and go back home. If you don’t hurry, the rain will stop you!’”
45 And soon the sky was black with clouds. A heavy wind brought a terrific rainstorm, and Ahab left quickly for Jezreel.
46 Then the Lord gave special strength to Elijah. He tucked his cloak into his belt and ran ahead of Ahab’s chariot all the way to the entrance of Jezreel.
REFLECT
We pick up in the middle of Elijah’s story in this passage. Elijah had just started to turn the people of Israel back to God by defeating the priests of the false god Baal. The miracle Elijah asked God to perform was outrageous and bold and God honored Elijah’s obedience and faith. Ahab was a wicked king to whom God sent Elijah a few years earlier to pronounce a judgement of famine and no rain. This was the moment when God would show his divine majesty through Elijah and show who was really in charge. After performing two supernatural acts, God had one more in store for Elijah by giving Elijah his Spirit and outrunning a royal chariot’s team of horses before the skies opened in a deluge of much-needed rain.
This was an incredible day for the nation of Israel and Elijah.
This was an incredible day for the nation of Israel and Elijah.
APPLY
Q: How did God honor Elijah’s obedience?
Q: When Elijah first asked his servant to check the weather and there were no clouds, what do you think might have been going through Elijah’s mind? What would be going through yours when God’s promises don’t happen immediately?
Q: What can you take away from this story to encourage others in their relationship with God?
Q: When Elijah first asked his servant to check the weather and there were no clouds, what do you think might have been going through Elijah’s mind? What would be going through yours when God’s promises don’t happen immediately?
Q: What can you take away from this story to encourage others in their relationship with God?
SING
PRAY
"Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy."
God, Your Throne is Holy, and may we always be ready to obey and bring the truth of Your glory to all people.
God, Your Throne is Holy, and may we always be ready to obey and bring the truth of Your glory to all people.