"GOD then told Elijah, 'Get out of here, and fast. Head east and hide out at the Kerith Ravine on the other side of the Jordan River. You can drink fresh water from the brook; I've ordered the ravens to feed you.' Elijah obeyed GOD's orders. He went and camped in the Kerith canyon on the other side of the Jordan. And sure enough, ravens brought him his meals, both breakfast and supper, and he drank from the brook." 1 Kings 17:2-6 (MSG)
A terrible drought was coming and Elijah had warned about it to King Ahab. The
king wasn't pleased.
Elijah obeyed God's orders. He went and camped in the Kerith Canyon on the other
side of the Jordan, and sure enough, ravens brought him bread and meat, and he
had water from the brook. All his necessities were met. He was provided for by
our Heavenly Father.
Notice that Elijah had to obey God's orders to get what God had promised him.
When our Heavenly Father speaks, it happens. No doubt about it! If God could
feed all those Israelites during the Exodus for years on end, He can feed one
man as well! He cares for us, and as long as we depend solely on Him, miracles
will occur. Who else was fed with meat and bread by the ravens?
Our Father has many ways to provide to us. Jesus multiplied the few fish and
bread that He had, for example, and this still happens today. And He also has
other ways to meet our needs. I have shared in the past how God fed me when I
was hungry and had no money in my wallet. This is what happened …
It had been an ordinary, busy day. I had attended classes at the seminary in
France in the morning and had just spent my afternoon working at the Calvin
Center in Geneva. For some reason, I left the Centre a little late, and I knew I
wouldn't make it back to the seminary in time for dinner. I would have to stop
somewhere in Geneva to get something to eat.
As I set out to find a restaurant, however, I couldn't shake the nagging feeling
that there was something very wrong with this plan. It was a few minutes before
it dawned on me: I had spent my last Swiss francs just that morning on gas! At
the next stop light, I pulled out my wallet to double check. Sure enough, it was
empty. I pushed my wallet back into my pocket with just a little more force than
necessary. What good was a wallet anyway, if there wasn't any money in it?
I reluctantly turned my car down the road that led to the French/Swiss border. I
would simply have to go hungry tonight! But for some reason, when I passed
Migros, a popular chain of grocery stores in Switzerland, I turned into the
parking lot.
I didn't understand my actions. After all, there was no way they would sell me
food without any money, and being a student, I didn't have a credit card. But
some force stronger than me seemed to be dictating that I be there. I quietly
bowed my head: "Lord, I don't know what to do. The cafeteria is closed. I'm
hungry and I don't have any money. Please help me! Thanks for providing for me.
In Jesus' mighty name, Amen."
Again being pulled by a force that I couldn't seem to resist, I got out of my
car and went into the grocery store. Boy, was that pure torture. Just looking at
food made my stomach growl and my mouth water! I could only stand it for a few
minutes, then I turned and bolted back to my car. As I neared my parking spot,
however, I noticed something laying on the pavement. To my amazement, it was a
bill for 5 Swiss Francs! I picked it up and looked around to see who it might
belong to; but the parking lot was empty. Immediately, I heard a peaceful inner
voice:
"This is my gift for you."
Those 5 Swiss Francs were just enough for a nice meal, and I was able to return
to my dorm room completely satisfied.
Why do we worry so much? Can worry add any comfort or relief to our tumultuous
lives? Can worry procure us a good night sleep? Can worry bless us in any way?
Jesus is clear on this matter: Matthew 6: 31-32: "So do not worry, saying, 'What
shall we eat?' Or 'What shall we drink?' Or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans
run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them."
NIV
Why worry if God knows our needs? Isn't He faithful? Doesn't He always come to
our rescue?
Matthew 6: 33 "Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these
things will be given to you as well." When we search for God instead of pursuing
our worries, not only will God let us catch Him, but He will satisfy our needs
as well.
Why worry? God's Holy Spirit will provide to us. "If we hope for what we do not
yet have, we wait for it patiently. In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our
weakness." Romans 8:25 (NIV)
Rob Chaffart
The Illustrator: This daily newsletter is dedicated to encouraging
everyone to look towards Jesus as the source of all the solutions to our
problems. It contains a daily inspirational story, a Bible verse and encouraging
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The Nugget: Published three times a week, this newsletter features inspirational devotionals and mini-sermons dedicated to drawing mankind closer to each other and to Christ.