Day 127

GOD IS IN CONTROL

Today’s Text: And Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the inhabitants of Gilead, said unto Ahab, As the LORD God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word. …And it came to pass after many days, that the word of the LORD came to Elijah in the third year, saying, Go, shew thyself unto Ahab; and I will send rain upon the earth. …And Elijah said unto Ahab, Get thee up, eat and drink; for there is a sound of abundance of rain. (1Kings 17:1; 18:1, 41)

Today’s Thoughts: Today’s Scripture verses give a bit of an outline to the text we shared yesterday. God’s people had strayed from Him and He sent Elijah, His prophet, to tell King Ahab that because of their rebellion there would be no rain. King Ahab wanted to kill Elijah thinking that that would solve the problem, so the Lord told him where to hide. The Lord sent him to a stream of water and commanded birds called ravens to feed him. When the stream dried up, God sent him to the woman we spoke about yesterday. Then the Lord sent Elijah to prove that He is God in a miraculous display on Mount Carmel. Finally the Lord sent rain again. If you are unfamiliar with this story I encourage you to read it. I’ve only given a brief outline.
For today, the part I would like to highlight in this story is the fact that God is in control and can bring rain and stop it. If God can control the weather, He surely can control other details in life. We just need to trust in Him and call upon Him to intervene. He longs to rain blessings down on you.

Today’s Testimony: The day of my last exam for this last semester the weather was poor. My best-friend, who is now my boyfriend, was taking me to my exam. I still wanted to go over a few things, so we landed up leaving a little bit later than I’d planned to. While I was getting ready to leave I heard the rain start and wished I’d rather left earlier as planned. I then did what has become the logical thing for me – I prayed. Even though it did continue to rain that day, it stopped for me to get into my friend’s car and then into and out of my exam venue. The only time I got a little wet was when we’d arrived back at my uncle and aunt’s place where I was staying and we’d gone a few other places first. I’m not sure how much it rained that day, but I know that the Lord intervened so that I stayed pretty dry.
God can control the weather, but it may not always be in His will to do so. He knows what is best for all his creation and for every single person. If you have a complaint about the weather, ask the Lord to open your eyes to see His reasoning, or to at least help you to be content or even thankful.

Today’s Task: Trust the Lord. He knows what is best and can intervene in every situation. He can change the weather or anything else that needs changing – just ask Him. Praise Him for doing what’s best even if you don’t understand how it is best. God knows everything and He truly does care about you. Believe it!

Today’s Thanks: Lord I thank You that You know when to send rain and when to keep it away. I thank You that You continually rain blessings down on us. Help us to see them. I thank You that we can trust You completely even if we can’t see Your plans. I thank You for Your constant love. I praise You for all You’ve done for us, in Christ’s name, Amen.

Day 126

GOD USES PEOPLE TO HELP US

Today’s Text: Arise, get thee to Zarephath, which belongeth to Zidon, and dwell there: behold, I have commanded a widow woman there to sustain thee. 
(1Kings 17:9)

Today’s Thoughts: The rest of this Bible story is definitely worth reading and I encourage you to go read it. It’s a story of how God used a poor widow to feed His prophet, Elijah, and in turn provided enough to keep Elijah, her and her son fed until the famine was over. God can still use people to help us as one of His many ways of intervening for His children. God has no limits to who He can use and what He can use. He cares about us!

Today’s Testimony: I needed a new watch battery, so when we went to the best place that I know of to get a good battery at a good price I took my watch with to buy one. We asked how much it would cost and the price was really reasonable. We were then told that it would cost more than three times the price of the battery if they put it in as well. I looked in my wallet and realized that I didn’t have that much to spare, so I said that I would just take the battery. That particular watch of mine has screws to keep the back on so I figured it wouldn’t be too difficult for me to just put the battery in myself. The young gentleman helping us then brought us a screwdriver to sort it out right then and there.
My older sister’s boyfriend was with and he took the screwdriver to give it a try. He was taking a few seconds to fit the screwdriver into the tiny screw, when the young gentleman said, “Here let me do it,” and reached for the watch and screwdriver. Once he’d taken out a screw or two my sister’s boyfriend said he thought he could manage now, but the young gentleman said, “No, it’s ok, I’ll do it… and I won’t charge.”
Within a short time my watch was sealed up and ticking and I was standing in awe. God is SO good! He knew I wanted a watch battery, but that I couldn’t afford the full price, so he took us to the right young gentleman who would help us for free. God truly does care about the little things in life and can use people to supply those blessings.

Today’s Task: Watch for God to use people to bless you. But more importantly, allow the Lord to use you to help and bless others. Be awake to know when He calls you to do a special task for Him and then do it to the best of your ability.

Today’s Thanks: O Lord I thank You that You can intervene for us in so many ways. I thank You that You give us the privilege to be used by You to bless others. Please use us. Help us to be willing instruments available to You at all times. I thank You for caring enough about us to help and bless us. I thank You for Your great love. I pray in Christ’s name, Amen.