Devotionals for October 17, 2023
There's still a chance for you to join us for Newcomers' Dinner on October 29th at 5:30pm! CLICK HERE to sign up!
READ
I KINGS 19 (entire chapter) focus on the verses below:
12 And after the earthquake there was a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire there was the sound of a gentle whisper.
13 When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave.
And a voice said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
14 He replied again, “I have zealously served the Lord God Almighty. But the people of Israel have broken their covenant with you, torn down your altars, and killed every one of your prophets. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me, too.”
15 Then the Lord told him, “Go back the same way you came, and travel to the wilderness of Damascus. When you arrive there, anoint Hazael to be king of Aram.
16 Then anoint Jehu grandson of Nimshi to be king of Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from the town of Abel-meholah to replace you as my prophet.
17 Anyone who escapes from Hazael will be killed by Jehu, and those who escape Jehu will be killed by Elisha!
18 Yet I will preserve 7,000 others in Israel who have never bowed down to Baal or kissed him!”
12 And after the earthquake there was a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire there was the sound of a gentle whisper.
13 When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave.
And a voice said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
14 He replied again, “I have zealously served the Lord God Almighty. But the people of Israel have broken their covenant with you, torn down your altars, and killed every one of your prophets. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me, too.”
15 Then the Lord told him, “Go back the same way you came, and travel to the wilderness of Damascus. When you arrive there, anoint Hazael to be king of Aram.
16 Then anoint Jehu grandson of Nimshi to be king of Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from the town of Abel-meholah to replace you as my prophet.
17 Anyone who escapes from Hazael will be killed by Jehu, and those who escape Jehu will be killed by Elisha!
18 Yet I will preserve 7,000 others in Israel who have never bowed down to Baal or kissed him!”
REFLECT
This chapter is a poignant reminder that God always has a plan, and His timing is perfect. Elijah was coming down from the adrenaline rush of the events of the previous chapter, but Jezebel threatened to have him killed. A threat so impactful, that Elijah ran away in fear.
Elijah may come off as a whiner, but remember we get to see the whole story. He felt as any preacher does after preaching his heart out on a Sunday morning, being filled with the Spirit of God… He was utterly exhausted. And in Elijah’s case, discouraged by the initial result. Through Elijah’s experience, we get to see that God had a greater plan that Elijah couldn’t see. Only the promises of God were all that he knew.
The same is true for us. We can see the outcome of Elijah’s story, but our own story is still mostly unknown to us. We have the promises but sometimes it’s hard to see where they’re going to take us.
Elijah may come off as a whiner, but remember we get to see the whole story. He felt as any preacher does after preaching his heart out on a Sunday morning, being filled with the Spirit of God… He was utterly exhausted. And in Elijah’s case, discouraged by the initial result. Through Elijah’s experience, we get to see that God had a greater plan that Elijah couldn’t see. Only the promises of God were all that he knew.
The same is true for us. We can see the outcome of Elijah’s story, but our own story is still mostly unknown to us. We have the promises but sometimes it’s hard to see where they’re going to take us.
APPLY
Q: How is the still small voice God used to speak to Elijah significant?
Q: What did Elijah do when God showed him a little bit more of His plan? How do you think he felt after receiving God’s knowledge?
Q: When we feel dejected, exhausted, or disappointed in the result we expect in serving God, how should we respond to Him?
Q: What did Elijah do when God showed him a little bit more of His plan? How do you think he felt after receiving God’s knowledge?
Q: When we feel dejected, exhausted, or disappointed in the result we expect in serving God, how should we respond to Him?
SING
PRAY
"May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven."
Heavenly Father, remind us of the encouragement Your promises have in our lives as we live them out to bring Your kingdom to others.
Heavenly Father, remind us of the encouragement Your promises have in our lives as we live them out to bring Your kingdom to others.