Reading: 1 Kings 17
Place Called There
In today’s reading we look at the life of Elijah the Tishbite. There are a few key things that I noticed as I read so I’m going to break them down. In fact, because there is so much in this one chapter, this will cover a few days of journaling.
In this passage we see that Elijah is given a word to give to the king that there would be no rain or dew. Because of this word and the fact that King Ahab was not a fan of Elijah God spoke directly to Elijah about where to go, in order to be saved. God commanded him to go to the Brook Cherith. God planned to provide not only safety but also provision for Elijah but first he had to go where God had sent him.
As I was reading this, I thought about my move here to Georgia. I knew we were supposed to move here, my place called there. I have been blown away by His provision for us along the way. Yet like Elijah we had to get here to receive the provision. Often times many believe they are supposed to do something, yet they are unsure of the how things will work out or they are waiting for the provision before they go. Fear stops them from taking a step of faith and relying on God for provision.
However, we see that when Elijah obeys God and gets to the brook, God provides everything. He provided water from the river and bread and meat flown in morning and night by the ravens. Now that is provision! First God provides manna for the Israelites wondering in the wilderness and now the ravens providing bread AND meat. Wow!
As I was thinking about this all I could think is why do we doubt God? Why? If God tells you to go somewhere, why do we doubt he won’t provide for us? Well I’ll tell you why. FEAR! Fear will stop us from going to our place called there. Fear will stop us from doing the great and mighty works God has for us. Do you realize that fear is the opposite of faith? Elijah was a man that had faith in God. Not only that but he feared God over the king of the land and because of that God provided for him in a place called there.
Jesus spoke and said, ‘“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. ‘ (John 14:12) What great and might works is God asking you to do? Here it says we will do the same works as Jesus. Have you ever thought about that? This is something I have sat and thought about often.
It says, “He who believes in Me”. Well I believe in Jesus, do you? If you believe it says, “the works that I do he will do also.” Think about the things Jesus did: He healed the blind, multiplied fish and bread to feed thousands, walked on water, cast out demons. Those are just a few of the things Jesus did. Do you believe in Him? Do you believe the words He spoke about you?
As much as I got out of the remainder of this chapter, I will save it for tomorrow, and this will be a three part journal entry because there are many things I want to share. I pray today you would sit and think on these questions as I have. I pray that God would quicken them to your heart. I pray you would see God has a place called there for you and that you would step out in faith and believe for His provision.
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