YOUR WEAKNESS, HIS POWER
He sat down under a solitary broom tree and prayed that he might die. "I have had enough, LORD," he said. "Take my life, for I am no better than my ancestors who have already died." Then he lay down and slept under the broom tree. But as he was sleeping, an angel touched him and told him, "Get up and eat!" He looked around and there beside his head was some bread baked on hot stones and a jar of water! So he ate and drank and lay down again.
1 Kings 19:4b-6 (NLT)
Elijah had just defeated the prophets of Baal, a great victory drawing the Israelites back to God. Jezebel was angry and swore to kill Elijah, so he fled into the wilderness. He felt like he was at the end and could bear no more, and asked God to bring death to him. But God had more for Elijah to do, so He sent an angel to bring Elijah food and drink. This nourished him for a 40-day journey, at the end of which Elijah would meet God in a cave.
We often feel like we can’t go on, but God can sustain us, often in ways we don’t understand or see. The angel came to Elijah and brought food and drink. Sometimes that is what can help someone. God can use someone to come into your life at the right moment to build you up. There have been several moments in my life when I have been depressed, lonely, or felt there was no way forward, when someone reached out. It was a text. It was a call. It was someone who came by to see me with a coffee or a treat. They didn’t even know why; they just knew that God had told them to reach out. When we feel weak, God moves in His ways to provide for us, many times in ways we don’t even understand.
APPLICATION: Take time this week to pause and listen for the Holy Spirit to reveal someone who needs you. Reach out to that person and show them God’s love.
PRAYER: God, show me someone this week who needs me to be a light to them. Give me eyes to see them and the need that I can meet and the strength to step up. It’s in Your Son’s precious name I pray, Amen.
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may Your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May Your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?