September 23-Great Chapters of the Bible
Write out the Scripture.
1 Kings 19:1-2, Now Ahab told Jezebel everything Elijah had done and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. So Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah to say, “May the gods deal with me, be it ever so severely, if by this time tomorrow I do not make your life like that of one of them.â€
Observe what it is saying.
We continue with the next episode in Elijah’s story. After the fire fell, the heavy rains came to end the drought. Today’s scripture tells after a wonderful mountaintop-type of experience, Elijah was headed for the deep valley. Evil Queen Jezebel was furious that her false prophets were killed in God’s judgment so she threatened to take Elijah’s life in retaliation. After this powerful display of God’s power, Elijah faced the fury of Satan from his earthly representative named Jezebel. We need to understand the dynamics of the unseen world and prepare for the enemy’s unleashing fury whenever we enjoy a spiritual victory.
Relate it to your life.
Spiritual warfare is a real battle in the unseen world that plays itself out among earthly powers.
Do something.
“Father, I trust your word, ‘that greater are You who is in me, than the one who is in the world.’ Amen.â€
September 24-Great Chapters of the Bible
Write out the Scripture.
1 Kings 19:3-5, Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, 4 while he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness. He came to a broom bush, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,†he said. “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.†5 Then he lay down under the bush and fell asleep.
Observe what it is saying.
It is rather remarkable that when he heard the threats from evil Queen Jezebel, Elijah took off. He had just witnessed the power and glory of God as fire fell from heaven followed by much needed rain. With tremendous boldness, Elijah had called the people to a showdown of gods to decide who they were going to serve. Elijah acted in faith which pleased and honored the Lord. Now, he is filled with fear from the ominous threat of the queen. How could that happen? This is the spiritual realm playing itself out on earth in our lives. Our battle isn’t against flesh and blood. When we have a great spiritual victory in one area, we can expect to be tested in another area. Elijah was so weary and worried that he asked God to take his life. He thought poorly of himself and fell asleep from mental, physical, and spiritual exhaustion. Like Elijah, a good nap may do us wonders when we’re so overwhelmed and exhausted.
Relate it to your life.
A spiritual victory does not promise smooth sailing ahead.
Do something.
“Father, help me when I get so low to take care of myself and trust You for what is ahead. Amen.â€
September 25-Great Chapters of the Bible
Write out the Scripture.
1 Kings 19:5-6, All at once an angel touched him and said, “Get up and eat.â€6 He looked around, and there by his head was some bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water. He ate and drank and then lay down again.
Observe what it is saying.
Coming off of a momentous spiritual experience, Elijah has now sunken into the valley of fear, depression, and exhaustion. Yesterday, we found him taking a nap. Today, we find an angel awakening him urging him to eat what heaven had provided. God was ministering to Elijah in his weakened physical and emotional state by caring for his basic needs. He needed rest, water, and food. We should not dismiss caring for ourselves with these simple but necessary gifts when we find ourselves in such deep distress. The first priority was taking care of his body’s needs so that he could be ministered to more fully after he was rested and nourished. To engage spiritually with God, we need to follow the same pattern whenever we go through highly stressful and emotionally depleting experiences.
Relate it to your life.
At times, the most spiritual thing I can do is take a nap, drink plenty of water, and eat a healthy meal.
Do something.
“Father, make me aware enough to take care of myself physically so you can minister to my soul. Amen.â€
September 26-Great Chapters of the Bible
Write out the Scripture.
1 Kings 18:7-9, The angel of the Lord came back a second time and touched him and said, “Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you.†8 So he got up and ate and drank. Strengthened by that food, he traveled forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God. 9 There he went into a cave and spent the night.
Observe what it is saying.
God’s mercy is still at work as Elijah goes through this valley. Once again, God provided food to sustain Elijah for his long journey ahead. God carefully watches over us and promises to give us what we need when we need it. During this dark period, Elijah most needed rest and food. He planned to go to Horeb, also known as Mt. Sinai, where Yahweh had established His covenant with His people. Depending on the route, it was a 200-250 mile trip with some rugged terrain near the finish. So, it took him as long to travel this as Moses was on Mt. Sinai and as Jesus was in the wilderness. The answer we are looking for may take time! Our prayers are not always answered instantly. However, God provides encouragement along the way until we receive our answer. So, don’t give up, keep going and trusting, God is with you.
Relate it to your life.
Even in the darkest moments of life, God is with me and providing what I need for that period of time.
Do something.
“Father, as Abraham declared, You are Jehovah Jireh, “the Lord who provides.†Thank You. Amen.â€
September 27-Great Chapters of the Bible
Write out the Scripture.
1 Kings 19:9-11, And the word of the Lord came to him: “What are you doing here, Elijah?†He replied, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, torn down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.†The Lord said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.â€
Observe what it is saying.
Elijah arrived at his destination, and God asked him what he was doing there. It appears God had not sent him there. It was his idea to run as far away as possible to hide from evil Queen Jezebel. When he reveals his thoughts to God, he does not mention anything about the great victory on Mt. Carmel. In our low times, we often forget the blessings of God and focus only on the negative. Elijah, also, saw himself as the only one left in the whole country who was faithful to God. What a lonely place to be! We may have felt the same when we thought we were the only one who understood a situation or the only one who was following the Lord in our social network. God’s answer: I’m about to reveal myself anew to you.
Relate it to your life.
God knows what we need when we need it and is gracious to reveal Himself again and again to help us.
Do something.
“Father, give me spiritual sensitivity to recognize You as you continually show up in my life. Amen.â€
September 28-Great Chapters of the Bible
Write out the Scripture.
1 Kings 19:11-12, Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. 12 After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper.
Observe what it is saying.
God was expected and known to show up in the massive acts of nature. Insurance companies even call them acts of God. Here, God doesn’t show up in the hurricane, earthquake, or fire, but in a gentle whisper. The people needed fire to convict them in the showdown on Mt. Carmel. However, Elijah is the only one in the audience here, and God had his attention with the mighty acts, but He waited to speak with a gentle whisper. In his current emotional state, Elijah needed a kind, quiet voice for what he was going through. Sometimes, silence can be deafening. Other times, a whisper draws us in closer to hear the message. God demonstrated His loving care as He brought Elijah back to a place of confident faith.
Relate it to your life.
God is fully aware of our situation and tailors his response according to our need to build our faith.
Do something.
“Father, thank You for noticing my weakness and leading me with gentle kindness. Amen.â€
Write out the Scripture.
1 Kings 19:1-2, Now Ahab told Jezebel everything Elijah had done and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. So Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah to say, “May the gods deal with me, be it ever so severely, if by this time tomorrow I do not make your life like that of one of them.â€
Observe what it is saying.
We continue with the next episode in Elijah’s story. After the fire fell, the heavy rains came to end the drought. Today’s scripture tells after a wonderful mountaintop-type of experience, Elijah was headed for the deep valley. Evil Queen Jezebel was furious that her false prophets were killed in God’s judgment so she threatened to take Elijah’s life in retaliation. After this powerful display of God’s power, Elijah faced the fury of Satan from his earthly representative named Jezebel. We need to understand the dynamics of the unseen world and prepare for the enemy’s unleashing fury whenever we enjoy a spiritual victory.
Relate it to your life.
Spiritual warfare is a real battle in the unseen world that plays itself out among earthly powers.
Do something.
“Father, I trust your word, ‘that greater are You who is in me, than the one who is in the world.’ Amen.â€
September 24-Great Chapters of the Bible
Write out the Scripture.
1 Kings 19:3-5, Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, 4 while he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness. He came to a broom bush, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,†he said. “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.†5 Then he lay down under the bush and fell asleep.
Observe what it is saying.
It is rather remarkable that when he heard the threats from evil Queen Jezebel, Elijah took off. He had just witnessed the power and glory of God as fire fell from heaven followed by much needed rain. With tremendous boldness, Elijah had called the people to a showdown of gods to decide who they were going to serve. Elijah acted in faith which pleased and honored the Lord. Now, he is filled with fear from the ominous threat of the queen. How could that happen? This is the spiritual realm playing itself out on earth in our lives. Our battle isn’t against flesh and blood. When we have a great spiritual victory in one area, we can expect to be tested in another area. Elijah was so weary and worried that he asked God to take his life. He thought poorly of himself and fell asleep from mental, physical, and spiritual exhaustion. Like Elijah, a good nap may do us wonders when we’re so overwhelmed and exhausted.
Relate it to your life.
A spiritual victory does not promise smooth sailing ahead.
Do something.
“Father, help me when I get so low to take care of myself and trust You for what is ahead. Amen.â€
September 25-Great Chapters of the Bible
Write out the Scripture.
1 Kings 19:5-6, All at once an angel touched him and said, “Get up and eat.â€6 He looked around, and there by his head was some bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water. He ate and drank and then lay down again.
Observe what it is saying.
Coming off of a momentous spiritual experience, Elijah has now sunken into the valley of fear, depression, and exhaustion. Yesterday, we found him taking a nap. Today, we find an angel awakening him urging him to eat what heaven had provided. God was ministering to Elijah in his weakened physical and emotional state by caring for his basic needs. He needed rest, water, and food. We should not dismiss caring for ourselves with these simple but necessary gifts when we find ourselves in such deep distress. The first priority was taking care of his body’s needs so that he could be ministered to more fully after he was rested and nourished. To engage spiritually with God, we need to follow the same pattern whenever we go through highly stressful and emotionally depleting experiences.
Relate it to your life.
At times, the most spiritual thing I can do is take a nap, drink plenty of water, and eat a healthy meal.
Do something.
“Father, make me aware enough to take care of myself physically so you can minister to my soul. Amen.â€
September 26-Great Chapters of the Bible
Write out the Scripture.
1 Kings 18:7-9, The angel of the Lord came back a second time and touched him and said, “Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you.†8 So he got up and ate and drank. Strengthened by that food, he traveled forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God. 9 There he went into a cave and spent the night.
Observe what it is saying.
God’s mercy is still at work as Elijah goes through this valley. Once again, God provided food to sustain Elijah for his long journey ahead. God carefully watches over us and promises to give us what we need when we need it. During this dark period, Elijah most needed rest and food. He planned to go to Horeb, also known as Mt. Sinai, where Yahweh had established His covenant with His people. Depending on the route, it was a 200-250 mile trip with some rugged terrain near the finish. So, it took him as long to travel this as Moses was on Mt. Sinai and as Jesus was in the wilderness. The answer we are looking for may take time! Our prayers are not always answered instantly. However, God provides encouragement along the way until we receive our answer. So, don’t give up, keep going and trusting, God is with you.
Relate it to your life.
Even in the darkest moments of life, God is with me and providing what I need for that period of time.
Do something.
“Father, as Abraham declared, You are Jehovah Jireh, “the Lord who provides.†Thank You. Amen.â€
September 27-Great Chapters of the Bible
Write out the Scripture.
1 Kings 19:9-11, And the word of the Lord came to him: “What are you doing here, Elijah?†He replied, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, torn down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.†The Lord said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.â€
Observe what it is saying.
Elijah arrived at his destination, and God asked him what he was doing there. It appears God had not sent him there. It was his idea to run as far away as possible to hide from evil Queen Jezebel. When he reveals his thoughts to God, he does not mention anything about the great victory on Mt. Carmel. In our low times, we often forget the blessings of God and focus only on the negative. Elijah, also, saw himself as the only one left in the whole country who was faithful to God. What a lonely place to be! We may have felt the same when we thought we were the only one who understood a situation or the only one who was following the Lord in our social network. God’s answer: I’m about to reveal myself anew to you.
Relate it to your life.
God knows what we need when we need it and is gracious to reveal Himself again and again to help us.
Do something.
“Father, give me spiritual sensitivity to recognize You as you continually show up in my life. Amen.â€
September 28-Great Chapters of the Bible
Write out the Scripture.
1 Kings 19:11-12, Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. 12 After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper.
Observe what it is saying.
God was expected and known to show up in the massive acts of nature. Insurance companies even call them acts of God. Here, God doesn’t show up in the hurricane, earthquake, or fire, but in a gentle whisper. The people needed fire to convict them in the showdown on Mt. Carmel. However, Elijah is the only one in the audience here, and God had his attention with the mighty acts, but He waited to speak with a gentle whisper. In his current emotional state, Elijah needed a kind, quiet voice for what he was going through. Sometimes, silence can be deafening. Other times, a whisper draws us in closer to hear the message. God demonstrated His loving care as He brought Elijah back to a place of confident faith.
Relate it to your life.
God is fully aware of our situation and tailors his response according to our need to build our faith.
Do something.
“Father, thank You for noticing my weakness and leading me with gentle kindness. Amen.â€
Posted in Daily Devotionals