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This prophet was
fed by birds🐦.
Who was he?
Answer: Prophet Elijah “Now Elijah the Tishbite, of Tishbe in Gilead, said to Ahab, “As the Lord, the God of Israel, lives, before whom I stand, there shall be neither dew nor rain these years, except by my word.” And the word of the Lord came to him: “Depart from here and turn eastward and hide yourself by the brook Cherith, which is east of the Jordan. You shall drink from the brook, and I have commanded the ravens to feed you there.” So he went and did according to the word of the Lord. He went and lived by the brook Cherith that is east of the Jordan. And the ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning, and bread and meat in the evening, and he drank from the brook. And after a while the brook dried up, because there was no rain in the land.” - 1 Kings 17:1-7 ESV.
ENCOURAGING WORD:
Intensity in Prayer
Today's Scripture
"So he left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing" - (Matthew 26:44).
Thoughts for Today
When faced with trials, unbelievers like the widow in 1 Kings 17, often shake their fists at God. Sometimes, they make one of God's people, even someone close to them, the target of their anger. The widow says to Elijah in verse 18, "…What do you have against me, man of God? Did you come to remind me of my sin and kill my son?"
Elijah responds the way every Christian should, he does not return the anger but goes to God in prayer, relying on God's power to change the circumstances. God then uses Elijah to achieve the first resurrection in the Bible. God does this historical miracle in the home of a Baal-worshiping widow in the lowliest of places. It is a lesson that when we pray and depend on God's power, He will pour His resurrection power on the people and plans in our lives.
Elijah's intensity in prayer for the boy was effective as he literally put his entire being into intercession. God honors this type of wholehearted devotion in prayer.
Elijah also did not hesitate to ask God, "O LORD my God, have you brought tragedy also upon this widow I am staying with, by causing her son to die?" (v. 20). Asking God "why" is not wrong. Gideon did it when faced with the Midianites. Job asked "Why?" when tragedy struck his life. Even Jesus cried out to His Father from the cross and asked, "Why?" Yet all of these knew that God was all-powerful and could restore health, life, and victory.
With the resurrection of her son, the widow finally knew God. In verse 24 she says, "Now I know that you are a man of God and that the word of the LORD from your mouth is the truth."
Does Elijah's intensity in prayer inspire you?
Prayer: Our Loving Heavenly Father God,
Help me to pray with the kind of intensity that Elijah prayed with, believing that You will answer. Help me to devote more time, passion, and purpose to my prayer life. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, In Jesus Loving Name I Pray, Amen."
Courtesy : Daily Dose Devotionals Team
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