ELIJAH AND THE WIDOW

God Cares About Out Needs

Read: 1 Kings 16:29–17:24

      So there was food every day for Elijah and for the woman and her family. For the jar of flour was not used up and the jug of oil did not run dry, in keeping with the word of the LORD spoken by Elijah. 1 Kings 17:15–16 NIV

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      God judged an evil king by bringing famine on the land, just as He had prophesied through Elijah. But in the midst of the famine, God provided for a destitute widow and her son. First, the woman had to be willing to use her last bit of flour and oil to feed the prophet. Then by a miracle of supply, her oil and flour never ran out until the rains came.

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      Sometimes the difficulties we face may be caused by the sin or wrong choices of other people. God may allow a situation that has nothing to do with us personally, except for providing an opportunity to trust Him. But just as He cared for this widow and her son, God sees and cares about our needs.

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      Lord, I don't always have to know why something is happening–I just need to trust you as the one who supplies our needs–both physical and emotional. Whenever I am worried, help me to remember this:
      “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6–7 NKJV)

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       "And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus."    Philippians 4:19 NIV

SOLOMON'S DOWNFALL

UNGODLY INFLUENCES

 

Read 1 Kings 10:1–11:13

      King Solomon was greater in riches and wisdom than all the other kings of the earth. The whole world sought audience with Solomon to hear the wisdom God had put in his heart.   1 Kings 10:23–24 NIV

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      When Solomon started out as king, he was humble and had a desire to please the Lord. God blessed him with more wisdom than any other world leader – but Solomon still had to choose between what he knew was right and wrong. The test was obedience, and Solomon failed. He made treaties with wicked kings and married their daughters as part of the arrangement. We are told that He followed Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, and Molech the detestable god of the Ammonites. (11:5) Solomon’s downfall came because his wives led him astray. (11:3b)

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      Lord, help us to be careful about the influences on our children. Help us to speak often about the importance of choosing good friends and a godly husband or wife. Give us discernment to notice rebellious attitudes, and deal with them wisely. Speak to their hearts through Your Holy Spirit so that our words will be well received.

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      “Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.” Matthew 6:13 NIV

BACK TO SOLOMON

For the past two months I have been taking a break from posting on THE GOD WHO SEES ME devotional blog. During that time I have been concentrating on my New Testament blog, LIVING THE WORD, where the progression through the New Testament turned out to be perfect timing for the resurrection story preceding and following Easter.

Those of you who receive my posts by e-mail have been receiving the link to LIVING THE WORD during that time. Now my e-mail posts will return to THE GOD WHO SEES ME where we left off in February with the building of Solomon’s temple.

 It is my desire that you will be blessed by these Old Testament stories as I have been. God’s truth never changes, but the application will be very personal as we allow Him to speak to our hearts through the reading of His Word.

 

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“For the word of God [is] living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”  Hebrews 4:12