First Kings 19-21

God’s message to me: Major events can get a lot of attention but that doesn’t make them signs from God. God can make Himself known in the wind, the earthquake, the fire, the flood or even in a still, small voice. It is important to see that, while God was known mostly by major events in the Old Testament, He was known more in simple words in the New Testament. We have all heard of the miracles of Christ but, the New Testament tells much more of His message and of the words He spoke to show people the way to eternal life.

God is still available for the big miracles today, but when we need to know His will we are most likely to hear it when we learn to “be still and know that [He] is God.” It is only then when we are quiet enough to hear and learn from that “still, small voice”

Promises: There is always a remnant. Israel never failed to find trouble and usually in a very short time period after getting out of trouble. No matter how much evil they did and how thoroughly they were marked for destruction, God has always preserved a remnant for Himself. Since the Day of His promise to Abraham, he has never let Israel be destroyed. Not one tribe has been reduced so far that it could not be maintained. A remnant of those loyal to God has always been kept to ensure the continuation of His people.

Commands: When God gives a command it had better be followed. Ahab repeated Saul’s mistake by sparing a king who had been marked for destruction.

Timeless principles: Regardless of how we are seeking to do God’s will, fear is something we will experience. Fear is the basic response that causes us to quickly take action which removes us from danger. In this way it is a reasonable response given by God to protect us. When we allow it to control our lives and actions and to prevent us from doing right it falls into the real of problem. God has not given us a spirit of fear but of peace. Once the immediate crises is reacted to we must set aside fear and develop a reasonable plan of action.

How can I apply what I’ve learned: Remember not to let fear rule your life. It isn’t wrong to protect yourself but, you can’t let fear prevent you from doing what God wants you to do. Praise God for the young lady who represented California in the Miss USA contest. She battled with her desire to win and allowed faith in God to override fear of loosing. She answered the truth in faith and represented not only God but the vast majority of people in her state. The politically correct judge sought to destroy her for her speech and to punish her for her thoughts and her faith. God has lifted her in the eyes of His people to stand as a shining example of faith.

more to learn for in-depth study: Elijah was sent to anoint 3 people to do God’s work. Hazael would be king of Syria, Nimshi would be king of Israel, and Elisha would become prophet in Elijah’s place. These three would become the tools of judgment against Israel for it’s idolatry.

This passage hints at the evil of Jezebel. She led the nation in worshiping Baal and in all the evil that went with that religion. She was treacherous, a schemer, a murderess, in short, “a Jezebel”. There is a reason that name has become a curse and an insult in our society and there is a reason people don’t name their daughter’s Jezebel. Unfortunately, far to few people remember that reason in a world that claims to love their faith but never reads their bibles. When preachers refuse to teach condemnation no one can learn the need for salvation. Jezebel is a case study in condemnation. That’s probably why no one really learns about her anymore.

On the upside, she will get her “come-uppins” in the end.

tomorrow: First Kings 22

First Kings 17-18

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God’s message to me: “I will provide.” That’s what God says to me. Through every problem in my life and through every time of “famine” God has provided. There have been times of plenty. As a long haul trucker I made plenty of money and had no worries. I have also had times like this when I couldn’t get work, couldn’t make ends meet and God had to provide. As a child and as an adult, even in the leanest of times, I have never gone without a roof over my head and food on the table. It wasn’t always what I wanted but it was sufficient for my needs. God is capable of prospering us greatly or of simply providing our needs. He does these things to let us know He is God.

In my time of plenty I often forgot Him, skipping church for months or even years, being a workaholic, being a bad example and so on. In my times of little God has reminded me He provides all so that when the plenty returned I remembered Him and when the little returned I trusted Him.

Promises: God can provide all our needs and “possible” has nothing to do it. When the common way of doing things is not available God can use the uncommon and even the supernatural to provide.

Commands: Do not tolerate false Gods or false teachers. The Lord will provide the proof of His truth and existence. Just as he did for Elijah He can and will do the impossible to prove himself. Burning the offering on wood and alter socked with water and an offering soaked in water with a pool of water all around was nothing for the God who can let an entire town be leveled by a tornado and leave the church untouched in the middle. You’ve seen those photo’s and you understand what I’m saying. Those who can see His miracles and still deny Him have made their choice. The rest of us can learn and turn to Him.

It was predicted that the prophets of Baal and Asherah would be sacrificed and in this story we see them all killed after their god was proven false and Jehovah proven true. Note that God didn’t ask for blind faith but provided ample evidence before asking for action.

Timeless principles: not every little disaster is a curse from God. The widow’s son became very ill and died. She saw this as judgment for her sins. God used it as an opportunity to show His unlimited power. God raised the child from the dead showing he could do much more than simply meet their needs.

How can I apply what I’ve learned: Trust God for our needs no matter how great or small. From providing the next meal to raising the dead, God has provided examples to show He is capable of all that we need.

more to learn for in-depth study: Here is an exception to the rule. Elijah is a hero of the bible who did not live the life of Donald Trump. After predicting drought and famine for the king of Israel He lived in hiding near a small stream where ravens brought him food and he drank from the stream. When the stream dried up he lived with a widow and her son. They had a little flour and a little oil and the Lord made sure it never ran out but they did not go without. they weren’t prospering. The four and oil weren’t multiplying so that they had extra and could give it or sell it. It was never used up and it was sufficient for their needs.

tomorrow: First Kings 19-21