TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
Then the word of the Lord came to Elijah: “Leave here, turn eastward and hide in the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan. You will drink from the brook, and I have directed the ravens to supply you with food there.” 1 Kings 17:2-4
Read: 1 Kings 17:2-7
Listen: 1 Kings 17:2-7
TODAY’S MESSAGE
God’s prophet is on the run for his life. Knowing that Ahab and Jezebel want Elijah dead, God puts him in that day’s version of a witness protection program. Arriving at his destination, we can imagine Elijah taking stock of his situation—isolated, no food for as far as he can see and a rapidly-shrinking water supply. He may have thought, “Ok, now what?” It’s at this point that God steps in to provide.
Faithful to his Word, God directs the ravens to bring him bread and meat twice a day. While rapidly evaporating, the brook provides his water. And most importantly, Elijah wasn’t found. He was safe. Of all the things we can learn from this story, maybe what we most need to learn is that God desires to provide. On page after page of Scripture, and in one story after another, it seems as if God delights in providing exactly what we need exactly when we need it.
Jesus himself directed us to pray for this daily provision in his model prayer, “Give us each day our daily bread…” (Luke 11:3). We’re not to pray for tomorrow or next month’s needs. We’re to pray for today. It’s what Elijah experienced and so can we.
IN YOUR CHAIR TIME TODAY
Watch this video clip as Pastor Jeff Manion tells of how daily provision made a difference in his life and the life of a friend. Then begin a daily habit of including a brief prayer for provision in your conversation with God. Confidently pray a prayer like this, “Father, I thank you that you are a God who delights in providing. Today, I need ______________________. Please give me exactly what I need. Thank you, in advance, for your provision.”
Download a printable PDF of the BTW week here.
