Times are tough. No one even knows where their next meal is coming from...
Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
By Pastor Ken Klaus, Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour
"The Provision Specialty"
October 22, 2017
(The Lord said) "Arise, go to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and dwell there. Behold, I have commanded a widow there to feed you."
~ 1 Kings 17:9 (ESV)
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ:
The salvation story of Jesus Christ reaches around the world. So that the readers of our Daily Devotion may see the power of the Savior on a global scale, we have asked the volunteers of our international ministry centers to write our Sunday devotions. We pray that the Spirit may touch your day through their words.
In Christ, I remain, His servant and yours,
Kenneth R. Klaus
Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour
Times are tough. No one even knows where their next meal is coming from.
These were the circumstances facing Elijah, but he didn't lose hope. Elijah knew God, and he knew God's voice when he heard it: "Go to Zarephath. I have instructed a widow there to feed you." So Elijah set off to find the woman and invite himself to dinner.
It soon turned out God was going to have to perform a minor miracle if Elijah was going to be fed that night.
The widow let him know that she didn't have a single piece of bread (see 1 Kings 17:12). But Elijah wasn't put off. He delivered God's Word: "There will always be plenty of flour and oil left in your containers until the time when the Lord sends rain and the crops grow again!" (see 1 Kings 17:14).
Sure enough, God fulfilled His promise to provide.
Here are three powerful lessons in this text:
(1) When you need it, God's provision is in place.
(2) The people God uses might surprise you.
(3) Our bad time is God's opportune moment.
This lady was all set to have her last meal on earth.
When God's work has a need, He looks for someone with a seed, stretches their faith, and both the giver and God's work are blessed.
You see, one of God's names is "Jehovah-jireh," which means "God will provide." He will provide, but He'll often wait till we are totally dependent on Him, before we see how He will do His work.
THE PRAYER: Lord, guide my steps in every action and especially when I am lost and afraid. In this troubled world, help me put You first in my life and follow the narrow path that leads to You. This I ask in Jesus' Name. Amen.
Biography of Author: Today's international devotion was written by Michel Matar. He has experienced life to the full, trying everything from drugs and alcohol to the occult. He is a well-known musician with several CDs to his credit. In 1989, he was touched by the love and forgiveness of Jesus. When he started reading the Word of God on a daily basis, his addiction and perverse lifestyle were over. He has not turned back. After his conversion, he studied LHM's Bible Correspondence Courses (BCC) and became a close friend of Middle East Lutheran Ministry (MELM). With life, music and talents, Matar serves the Lord. He volunteers his time and talent to help us in recording and editing radio programs. He is married to Nuna, and they have served the Lord together since their conversion. They have five lovely children and live in Brummana, Lebanon.
Established in Beirut in 1950, LHM-Lebanon is a Christian mass media organization whose mission is to proclaim the Gospel to the Arabic-speaking world. This ministry center shares the message of God's peace and reconciliation in the Middle East through different media tools such as radio programs, which are produced weekly in the Arabic language. Programs deal with social and religious issues, providing help and spiritual guidance for listeners who are predominantly youth and young adults. Bible Correspondence Courses (BCC), topical booklets, text messages, social media, DVDs, and spiritual hymns strengthen the faith of students, encouraging them to walk closer with Jesus. Holistic assistance is provided to many Muslim families and Bedouin communities through vacation Bible schools and programs that deliver clothing and school supplies to children. Emergency care is also given to numerous Syrian and Iraqi families who have come to Lebanon from their countries, as they flee various conflicts in their homelands.
Use these devotions in your newsletter and bulletin! Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM).
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