“So she did as Elijah said, and she and Elijah and her family continued to eat for many days.”
1 Kings 17:15, NLT
Isn’t it easy to claim faith in God when all is going great for us? I know it is for me. But, how well does our faith stand up when tested– does it reveal faith in action or faith in theory only?
God tested the faith of a widow in the village of Zarephath who, along with her son, faced starvation. God sent Elijah to the woman with instructions for her to feed him. She told Elijah, “I swear by the Lord your God that I don’t have a single piece of bread in the house. And I have only a handful of flour left in the jar and a little cooking oil in the bottom of the jug. I was just gathering a few sticks to cook this last meal, and then my son and I will die.” 1 Kings 17:12 NLT
The widow obeyed God and was blessed. Read today’s Dose verse. “There was always enough flour and olive oil left in the containers, just as the Lord had promised through Elijah.” 1 Kings 17:16 NLT
God also tested Abraham’s faith. “Take your son, your only son—yes, Isaac, whom you love so much—and go to the land of Moriah. Go and sacrifice him as a burnt offering on one of the mountains, which I will show you.” Genesis 22:2
Abraham obeyed God and was blessed. “… Because you have obeyed me and have not withheld even your son, your only son, I swear by my own name that I will certainly bless you. I will multiply your descendants beyond number… And through your descendants all the nations of the earth will be blessed—all because you have obeyed me.” Genesis 22:16-18 NLT
No doubt, things looked desperate for the widow and Abraham, as fear and uncertainty threatened their families, provision, and lives. Yet, they yielded their great uncertainty and fear to their greater faith in God to provide for their needs.
God sacrificed even more for us–His only Son for our sins!
Are you unable to see how your needs will be met and your family provided for right now? You wonder, “Should I obey the Lord and trust in what I can’t see or try and handle things myself?” Perhaps you’re resigned to die (like the widow was) because that’s all you can understand to do. Why not call out to God and obey Him (despite what you feel, see, or understand) instead? Now, that’s faith in action!
By grace through faith,
Rita
“No matter how hard I try, I simply can’t resist (fill in the blank)!” We’re all tempted at some point in life. But, are we really powerless to resist temptation? Perhaps you think, we’re only human; only God can resist temptation, and He’s never tempted because He’s God. And how’s He going to help anyway? He’s not the one facing the temptations that I am. How can He possible understand? Read today’s Dose verses.
that comes from the mouth of God”. Matthew 4:4, NLT Jesus understands very well the physical desires, which tempt us.
The devil and his angels will try to tempt us in our most vulnerable areas when we pursue Christ. He’ll misquote God’s words. Don’t be surprised by it. Be encouraged that Jesus showed us how to resist temptation. It’s by properly applying the word of God and humility! They make the devil go away!
This time of year in America we celebrate at least three patriotic occasions between the end of May and the end of July – Memorial Day, Flag Day, and Independence Day. As a member of a military family by birth, voluntary service, and marriage, my heart is tender towards the remembrance of those who sacrifice their lives, some even to death, so that we may enjoy the freedoms offered by our great nation.