Excerpt from New Devo coming soon #8
This one can be a tough!
1 Kings 17:13, 15
And Elijah said unto her, Fear not; go and do as thou hast said: but make me thereof a little cake first, and bring it unto me, and after make for thee and for thy son.
. And she went and did according to the saying of Elijah: and she, and he, and her house, did eat many days.
Most are familiar with Elijah and the widow from Zarephath. If you are not, may I suggest that you take a minute and read the story in this chapter. The pattern that I want to highlight is how God often used the prophets to speak into people's lives. This is probably one of my favorite examples of patterns. I love it because it challenges our thinking. It goes against everything we are taught in our world today. Women and children first. Men should surely be last. After all they are the providers. God was so mindful of us to make us aware of His patterns. He often gave warnings, instructions, and encouragement through His Prophets. As we can see it could mean life or death for those in the Bible. It’s a pattern that is woven throughout the Bible and even in the Church world today. When Jesus came he made it possible for all of us at any given time to go to Him for our needs or answers to prayer. It’s clear though that God intended for pastors to be a voice in our lives. Yes, I already know that not all pastors are led by God. That is why we must have our spiritual discernment in tact. It doesn’t cancel out God’s pattern. Mankind will fail us, that’s a given. Ask God to help you know when a person is speaking into your life rather they are of God or not. The pattern is Elijah gave instructions that would not only save the widow, it would save her son as well. It may seem counterintuitive but it could mean death or life.
Prayer
God, this one can be a hard pattern to follow. Help me to be sensitive to Your spirit to know when the person that is giving me instructions or advice is the one You sent. The pattern has been set for my own protection. I’m thankful that I can pray and You will answer. I’m thankful that I don’t have to go to a priest for God to hear me. I know that when You put something in the Bible that shows up over and over it’s a sure sign that it’s for my good. I know that You have put pastors, prophets, and people of God to speak into my life. Sometimes I can’t seem to hear from You because of my pain or the noise that is drowning out Your voice. Thank You for the examples of patterns that will keep me and many times keep my family. Amen.
CTA
Do you have someone you trust to speak over your life? Have you ever considered this pattern that God used throughout His Word?
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