2009 – Day 148.May 29 – God’s Word Is Final

2009 – Day 148.May 29 – God’s Word Is Final

Passage of the Day: 1st Kings 17: 1 … 1 Now Elijah the Tishbite, from Tishbe in Gilead, said to Ahab, "As the LORD, the God of Israel, lives, whom I serve, there will be neither dew nor rain in the next few years except at my word."

My Journal for Today: Once again we’re back to the introduction of this man, … this Prophet, … Elijah; and in the focus verse for today, we read a very important phrase. It is found at the end of 1st Kings 17: 1; and it concerns God’s word, from Elijah to Ahab and God’s chosen people, that there was to be a drought which would last a number of years; and as Gods’ decree was spoken, God promised that the drought would not end until the end was decreed by God, “… except at my word.”

This is God speaking through Elijah; but though Swindoll doesn’t mention it, the decree of the drought’s end would not only come from the word of God but it would also not end until it came from the mouth of Elijah. Verse 17: 1 ends with this phrase “… except at my word;” and you’ll note that the pronoun “my” is not capitalized. It’s interesting to me; and I believe, that God was giving Elijah the leverage that God’s promise on the end of the drought would come - from God – though the mouth and prophesy of Elijah. So, if Ahab were to kill Elijah, I believe the drought would likely never have ended.

And that’s just how exacting and directing God’s will can be at times. God certainly provides His word and His promises from His word, … the Bible. But there are times when He will give His direction through gifted prophets, leaders, teachers, preachers and/or anointed messengers. This can make it a bit challenging at times to discern God’s will or His promise; because it takes Spirit-led listening to decipher God’s will when it comes from sources other than the Bible. But be assured, when God speaks on a given topic or directive, His word and/or His promises will come to pass. God doesn’t lie, which is also a clear promise of God in Numbers 23: 19, which states … God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill? So, when Elijah spoke on behalf of God about the drought, you could bank on the results. There was going to be a drought!

As, Swindoll puts it, ”God keeps His promises. Agree with it or not, His word is final. He never forgets anything He promises. That’s right, … never!” And what that should do for us is the same that it was for Elijah. We should seek out and then be willing to declare, God’s promises.

Now, I know that His promises or His will for the lives of Christians or His Church can be obscure at times; but most certainly we should know and believe and declare that any promise which comes from His written word, the Bible, is a “done deal.” So, my fellow seeker, again, we need to be Elijahs for this world. When we know the truth, we need to be willing to declare it to the world … boldly and even loudly if necessary.

Do you have any doubts about God’s #1 promise is found in the Gospel … that Christ died for our sins and that He is the ONLY way, the truth, and the life. So, if we know that is God’s promise, what are we going to do today to be Elijah, declaring that promise to a dark and perverse world? If you stand convicted, as do I, by that prospect, let me pray for us both.

My Prayer for Today: Help me, and all my Christian brothers and sisters, to boldly declare the promise of Your salvation in and through YOU, dear Lord. Amen