Daily Devotion for March 31, 2024

 

Devotion:

For an audio version of this devotion, click here.

Read Luke 24:1-12, 36-49.

When we hear of people who do not believe in the resurrection of Jesus, it is good to be reminded that his disciples were the first ones to not believe the news that he had risen. Until they had their own experience with their risen Lord, they could not bring themselves to believe. But when they did, they were then ready to go tell all the world!

That is still our calling today. Those of us who do believe have been given a mission to help people have their own experience of Jesus. We are to be constantly turning our life over to him, inviting this Holy Spirit to live in us and work through us and the whole community that is the Church so that other people experience him for themselves. Our goal is to get to experience Easter throughout the year, as people around us allow him to come alive in them. And just as those first disciples continued to experience him in new ways in the days ahead, so will we. I pray it often and invite you to as well: “Lord, help us stay so connected to you that we can help others come to know you.”

Let’s let “Christ is risen” be more than just an Easter slogan. Let’s allow it to be a way of life! Christ is risen indeed!

Personal Worship Option:

Join us for the biggest day of the year in the life of the Church! Come on out at 7:00 a.m. if you can and then let’s worship together at either 9:30 or 11:15. And there’s no better day to bring a carload with you!

Daily Devotion for March 30, 2024

 

Devotion:

For an audio version of this devotion, click here.

Read Luke 23:26-56.

Luke is the only Gospel writer who includes Jesus’ comments to the women on his way to be crucified. Earlier in the book, Jesus had spoken of Jerusalem’s role in killing the prophets and later wept over the city. For some reason, verse 31 struck a chord with me this time: “For if people do these things when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?” That statement has been interpreted in various ways. Jesus had predicted the coming destruction of Jerusalem (which happened less than 40 years later). I hear Jesus saying that if people would do this to an innocent man while there was relative peace in Jerusalem, imagine what they will do when there is strife and coming destruction. In our own day and time, people who claim to be followers of Jesus are living their lives and making choices that regularly go against the teaching and way of Jesus. It has me asking the question: If they do these things now, what will they do (or allow to be done) when the strife and tension increases?

As I read the story of Jesus’ crucifixion, and as I reflect on the condition of our nation and world, there is much to lament. And yet, even on the day Jesus was crucified, God was at work in people like Joseph of Arimathea. In our day, even in the midst of the darkness of hate and deception, God invites us to continue in the mission, knowing that with God, there is always hope. It is that trust in the power and plan of God that keeps me moving forward into God’s future.

Personal Worship Option:

On this day between Jesus’ death and resurrection, be reminded that no matter how dark life may get for you or for the whole world, God cannot and will not be defeated. Offer a prayer of thanksgiving for that eternal hope.

Daily Devotion for March 29, 2024

 

Devotion:

For an audio version of this devotion, click here.

Read Luke 23:6-25.

When I read this passage, I am always struck by how Jesus stood silently, not giving a response to his accusers. He was put on trial first before Pilate, then to Herod who mocked Him and sent Him back to Pilate, who could not find any wrong in Him. Pilate, trying to appease the crowd, had Jesus flogged and whipped but that did not quell the crowd. So, Pilate gave in to the pressure and released a criminal and executed an innocent man.

The whole time, Jesus stood silently, not saying a word to defend Himself. I think about how quickly I jump to defend myself especially when I feel backed into a corner. If anyone was backed into a corner it was Jesus. False accusations flew all around Him, and yet He just stood his ground and later prayed forgiveness for those who would take his life. Jesus knew this was His time. He knew He was the only one who could set the world free, but in order to do that, He had to endure all this suffering.

Personal Worship Option:

When you are tempted to defend yourself or justify your actions, pray for God to give you wisdom and ask Him if this might be the time to practice the discipline of silence.

Daily Devotion for March 28, 2024

 

Devotion:

For an audio version of this devotion, click here.

Read Luke 22:63-23:5.

This scripture deals with Jesus being accused of breaking the law and his trial. There were three basic charges that the religious leaders came up with. 1. Jesus is misleading their nation and causing agitation. 2. Jesus tells them not to give to Caesar. That of course was not true. 3. Jesus claims to be a king which made a political threat. When brought before Pilate, Pilate did not feel that he was a threat to the Roman Empire. He rejected their threats. When realizing that Jesus was from Galilee, he sent him to Herod to deal with the problem since Herod, who was the ruler over Galilee, was in town. Herod was curious and wanted Jesus to do miracles. After much questioning, with Jesus not responding, Herod sent him back to Pilate who caved to the pressure of the screaming crowds. The trial and crucifixion then followed.

During Lent I have thought about whether I would have been a Jesus follower or a screaming member of the crowd. Of course I want to think I would have been a follower. Let’s think about our dedication to Jesus. Is it because we want Jesus to do something for us and provide miracles? Do we hesitate to be all in because our way of life and how we spend our time do not match being the hands and feet of Jesus? Might we have to sacrifice?

Personal Worship Option:

Dear God, help us change our lives so that we are living as your devoted followers. Help us grow our faith and deeply appreciate the sacrifice that you made for us. Amen.

Daily Devotion for March 27, 2024

 

Devotion:

For an audio version of this devotion, click here.

Read Luke 22:47-62.

Not only did Jesus endure the physical pain of the crucifixion but let us pause and remember the experiences he endured beforehand. Today we read that Jesus (in verses 47-48) endured being betrayed by Judas, one of his own disciples. In verses 49-51, Jesus endured seeing one of his own disciples strike a servant of the high priest with a sword. In verses 52-23, Jesus endured seeing the leaders from the temple where he had been teaching come to arrest him and added to this he would endure the time when darkness would reign. And then Jesus endured being denied three times by Peter, another of his own disciples.

Betrayal, conflict with a sword, the time when darkness reigned and denial, all delivered by the people Jesus knew and even three of these were in his inner circle of disciples. Enduring these experiences are each and all more than enough for anyone to endure. Sometimes we read over these too quickly, but today we pause to consider how easy it is to miss who Jesus came to be, and how and where we might find ourselves in these verses.

Luke’s writings continually remind us that Jesus came not to be an earthly king, but his disciples often missed this. They still wanted Jesus to claim his earthly kingdom. We don’t know Judas’ motives for betraying Jesus. We do know from the earlier verses (3-6 of this chapter 22) that this betrayal had been intentionally planned for some days prior to this time of Jesus’ arrest. Could Judas have been disillusioned because Jesus’ way of power wasn’t to become an earthly king?

Could the disciple who struck the servant’s ear with the sword have been disillusioned, too? Gaining power by the sword wasn’t the way Jesus had taught or lived.

Jesus knew how vulnerable Peter would be to his own fears. Peter denied knowing him rather than to stand by his Lord in Jesus’ darkest hour. What would we have done?

The words, “when darkness reigns” captured my attention. The commentaries tell us this reigning power can be contrasted with the “power” of Jesus’ gifts in chapters 4, 5, 9, 10, and 20 of Luke. Each of these speak of Jesus’ authority and power which has come from the Spirit of God for healing, forgiving and giving life unto others. This is an incredible contrast of power over the power of darkness which destroys others for the sake of saving self.

All of this Jesus endured before the trial, the flogging and the crucifixion for the sake of love, forgiveness and to give the gift of life and life eternal.

Personal Worship Option:

Jesus, thank you for enduring and overcoming the betrayal, the conflict, the denial and the reign of darkness to forgive us and to bring us to new life by your power, your grace and your love. Help us to walk in the light of your footsteps always, Amen.

Daily Devotion for March 26, 2024

 

Devotion:

For an audio version of this devotion, click here.

Read Luke 22:31-46.

Praying in anguish, Jesus asked his Father to take away the suffering that he would soon be facing on the cross for our sake. Jesus prayed so earnestly that his sweat fell like drops of blood to the ground. And as he raised his tearful cry to heaven, Jesus’ disciples fell asleep. Yet he said to the Father, “Not my will, but yours be done.”

On that dreadful night, the religious leaders were plotting against Jesus as he prayed in Gethsemane. Led by Judas Iscariot, the temple soldiers marched into the garden to ­arrest Jesus forcefully. But Jesus, now ready to lay down his life for us, proceeded ­willingly.

Jesus knew that on the cross he would take our place, carry the weight of all our sins, and take on the curse that we all deserve so that he could rescue us from sin and death.

Jesus went to the cross not because Judas betrayed him out of greed (Luke 22:1-6), nor because the religious rulers handed him over out of envy, nor even because the Roman governor Pilate sentenced him out of cowardice (Luke 23:1-25; John 11:45-53; 19:1-16). Jesus went to the cross out of love!

Personal Worship Option:

Blessed Lord and Savior, we know that what moved you to face the cross for our sake was your eternal love alone. May this love fill our hearts today and move us to serve you faithfully. Amen.

Daily Devotion for March 25, 2024

 

Devotion:

For an audio version of this devotion, click here.

Read Luke 22:7-30.

In our Lenten worship series, we have been following Jesus to Jerusalem. In today’s passage, we see that Jesus and his followers have, at last, arrived. It is no coincidence that it is time for the Feast of Unleavened Bread and Passover. As we read this, we should see and understand Jesus’ careful preparation for this last Passover meal with his apostles. He had arranged for an upper room in which they would gather and eat, and Peter and John went into the city and prepared the Passover meal. At the end of the meal, Jesus took bread and wine from the table and offered them to his apostles, instituting for them and for us, as followers of Christ, the sacrament of Holy Communion.

It is sad to read that, after three years of serving alongside Jesus and hearing his teachings on humility and service, the apostles began to argue among themselves as to who was the greatest. I can picture an eye roll from Jesus, but instead he patiently taught them that the greatest in God’s kingdom is the least. What a lesson for us today, in our divided society! The world needs to see us Christians today living and serving in quiet humility, not seeking after the world’s idea of greatness.

Personal Worship Option:

Pray with me, “Forgive me, Almighty God, when I long for greatness as measured by the world’s standards. Help me to seek instead the greatness modeled and taught by Christ. Give me the humility to serve without notice or fanfare. In Christ’s name. Amen.”

Daily Devotion for March 24, 2024

 

Devotion:

Read Mark 8:34-38.

One of my favorite descriptions of Jesus related to Holy Week is this: The Cross was not just the way he died; it was the way he lived. His way was a life of sacrifice, a way of servanthood. He was all about giving of himself to meet the needs of others and to help everyone know of a God who loved them and wanted them to experience life at its best and fullest.

In our passage for today, he lets it be known that to be a follower of his, one must adopt this way of sacrifice. It is not enough just to believe in him and seek his blessing. It is not enough just to call him “Lord.” We are to grow in our willingness to sacrifice our way for his way, our resources for his mission, our everyday life for the good of others.

For Jesus, this journey to Jerusalem was a journey to the cross, to the ultimate sacrifice. If we are willing to follow him there, we will be confronted with our own level of willingness to sacrifice for him and for others to come to know him. One of the lines in our Communion liturgy says, “We offer ourselves in praise and thanksgiving as a holy and living sacrifice….” Sometimes we are led to sacrifice in small ways while at other times the sacrifice called for may be more. The question is this: does the way of sacrifice continue to be a way of life for you? Don’t ever forget Jesus’ statement here: “...whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it.”

Personal Worship Option:

Here are two verses from a hymn written by Frances Havergal in 1873, yet still serving as a good prayer for followers of Jesus:

Take my life and let it be consecrated Lord to thee.

Take my moments and my days; let them flow in ceaseless praise.

Take my hands and let them move at the impulse of thy love.

Take my feet and let them be swift and beautiful for thee.

Take my will and make it thine; it shall be no longer mine.  

Take my heart, it is thine own; it shall be thy royal throne.

Take my love, my Lord, I pour at thy feet its treasure-store.

Take myself and I will be ever, only, all for thee.

Daily Devotion for March 23, 2024

 

Devotion:

For an audio version of this devotion, click here.

Read Esther 4:6-16.

We looked at this scene just over a month ago, but we expand it today in light of our focus for this week. A man named Haman had convinced the king of the land to allow him to destroy all the Jewish people among them. Esther’s cousin Mordecai (who was older than her and had taken her in and raised her after her parents died) let her know that she was the last hope of her people. She had been chosen by the king to be her queen, but he didn’t know she was one of the Hebrew people. Mordecai told her she had to go to the king and appeal to him on behalf of her Jewish family. But she reminded him that going in to the king without being summoned by him was a gesture that likely brought about a person’s death. Still, Mordecai persisted in his instructions to her.

It is inspiring to read of Esther’s courage. She decided she was going in, stating bluntly “And if I perish, I perish.” What I particularly notice is what motivated her to make this bold move: love for her people. She was willing to sacrifice herself because she cared about her people.

I do not know of any surveys that have been done about this, but I’m guessing that the overwhelming top motivating factor for why people make sacrifices of any kind is love. Parents sacrifice for their children (and vice versa later in life). Teachers and coaches sacrifice for their students and players. Soldiers sacrifice for their country. Of course, the ultimate example of this is Jesus sacrificing himself for us all. That will be our focus as we worship together tomorrow.

Personal Worship Option:

Offer this prayer or one in your own words: Gracious God, I thank you for the many sacrifices that have been made on my behalf by a lot of people in my life, all who were motivated by love for me. Most of all, thank you for the sacrifice you made for me and all the world through Jesus Christ, in whose name I pray. Amen.

Daily Devotion for March 22, 2024

 

Devotion:

For an audio version of this devotion, click here.

Read Daniel 6:10-16.

The trap had been set. It was time to find out just how dedicated Daniel was to his God. But the guys who set the trap already knew. They tricked the king into establishing this new law because they knew that Daniel would go against it; they knew there was no way he was going to stop his faithful practice of daily prayers. And Daniel had to know the danger in staying faithful. He had to know that he was sacrificing his life by continuing that practice. But he did it anyway.

Have you ever asked yourself if you would have done what Daniel did? I think I would have kept on praying, but I question whether I would have changed my mind when they opened the gate to the lions’ den.

It is unlikely that you or I will be put in a situation where our life is literally on the line because we are a Christian. However, it is very possible that we will face times that will put our loyalty to Jesus and his way to the test. Maybe you can recall some of those situations when that happened in your life. Be assured that you never face those situations alone. Just like God was with Daniel, God will be with you, whatever your “lion’s den” looks like.

Personal Worship Option:

Pray for courage to stay faithful to our Lord when you have to face the “lion’s dens” of life.

Daily Devotion for March 21, 2024

 

Devotion:

For an audio version of this devotion, click here.

Read Romans 12:1-2.

We are told to renew our minds. If you are like me you may need an overhaul, maybe even a transplant! There are various ways that we can change things. We can make an adjustment in our behavior, seek counseling, or maybe make some new friends. But to change our spiritual life, we must turn to Jesus. When it says turn your eyes to Jesus, it does not mean physical eyes, but our spiritual eyes, our eyes of faith, the eyes of our heart.

If we really want a renewal, we must sacrifice our worldly ways of self-absorption and material things. Paul isn’t talking about positive thinking and self-help books. He was referring to seeking direction from Jesus’ way of life. Paul had just explained how God’s mercy has come to us through Jesus, so we should stay focused on him and how he lived and sacrificed. One of my favorite songs is Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus. Here is the chorus, ponder on it:

Turn your eyes upon Jesus

Look full in his wonderful face

And the things of earth will grow strangely dim

In the light of his glory and grace.

Personal Worship Option:

Spirit of the living God, move among us all; make us one in heart and mind. Fall afresh on us. Melt us, mold us, fill us, use us, by God’s mercy. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Daily Devotion for March 20, 2024

 

Devotion:

For an audio version of this devotion, click here.

Read Numbers 18:25-29.

Being created in the image of God, we are created with a longing to be in relationship with God. The words which have described this relationship throughout the centuries are: “to be in communion with God or to be in covenant with God.” We can rest in the assurance that God is the covenant-making initiator. God reaches faithfully and mercifully toward humanity with sacrificial love to restore us to be forgiven and reunited to God’s own heart and will. God loves us enough to call us to be faithful to our part of this covenant relationship as well.

Numbers, chapters 18-19 are described in the commentaries as “the priestly writer’s” guidelines for approaching God. The guidelines are the response to the Israelites' fear of perishing in the presence of “Yahweh,” one of their names of God. One of the commitments God instructed is that they themselves, The Levites must tithe. A tithe was an offering of ten percent of their own wages.

Sacrificial giving was at the core of the covenant between God and the Children of Israel. Verse 29 is a good theme statement for their part in that covenant. “You must present as the Lord’s portion the best and holiest part of everything given to you.” This applied to the “first-fruits of grain, wine, and oil, any devoted thing, and the firstborn of clean animals.

Although we no longer bring the first fruits or the firstborn of clean animals, how we use and share what we have matters to God. This covenant of sacrificial love demonstrated by sacrificial giving from God to the people and from the people unto God is the theme of all of scripture. It is a holy mystery, but it is the way of God’s faithfulness unto the people and God’s call for the people to be faithful, too.

Personal Worship Option:

John Wesley and the early Methodists practiced generosity as a necessary and indispensable aspect of discipleship, essential for the maturing of the soul and the work of the church. He taught them to “Gain all you can, save all you can, and give all you can.” Lord open our hearts to live giving all that we can. Amen.

Daily Devotion for March 19, 2024

 

Devotion:

For an audio version of this devotion, click here.

Read: John 3:16.

God’s Greatest Gift

The love of God is a wonderful thing, especially when it is set upon a world in ruin.

There was nothing attractive about it. The world was full of sin and misery. It was under the curse of God. It was the enemy of God. It was condemned already. It deserved nothing but God's wrath. But God loved it.

Why? Because it was His world. He had made it and He loved it still. He loved it with a never ending, never dying love. It was the workmanship of His own hands. And though it had rebelled against Him and was now His enemy, He could not forget His love for it.

"God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son." It was love that moved God to give His Son. It was not compulsion. God did not have to give His Son. He might have destroyed the world and started afresh. But He loved it still and gave His Son to die for it.

"That whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." God's great purpose in giving His Son was that the world might be saved. He did not desire the death of the sinner, but rather that he should turn from his sin and live.

And so, the offer of salvation is made available to all. Whoever will believe in Jesus Christ shall not perish but have everlasting life. God's love is thus manifested to us. It is a love that is free and open to all. It is a love that is willing to save the worst of sinners.

All that is required is faith in Jesus. Whoever believes in Him shall be saved. This is the Gospel, the good news of salvation. God loves the world and has provided a way of salvation for all who will believe.

Personal Worship Option:

Dear God, I thank you that you are a God who loves me no matter what. Thank you for a love so deep that you were willing to give the most precious gift of your son for me. Help that love to be reflected from me to others. Amen.

Daily Devotion for March 18, 2024

 

Devotion:

For an audio version of this devotion, click here.

Read Acts 6:8 - 7:3.

Steven was chosen as one of the seven to ensure that the Greek-speaking widows received their fair share in the distribution of food in the church. Yet Stephen was not stoned for anything having to do with this role. Stephen was stoned because he performed wonders and signs among the people and would not compromise his faith. This reminds all of us that our witness is not limited to our roles in the church. When Stephen was brought before the Sanhedrin, he knew that his life was in peril; and he had a choice...he could compromise his beliefs and promise to stop witnessing, or he could step up boldly to proclaim his faith to them. Stephen’s boldness resulted in his being stoned to death and becoming an example for Christians that encourages us two thousand years later.

Very few of us will ever be faced with the fear of death because of our faith. Yet, we are sometimes hesitant to step up and be identified as a Christian. We want to be liked, to fit in, and to not seem strange, so we may shrink back and remain quiet when Christ would have us speak up. Today’s passage and Stephen’s example should encourage us to live out our faith and stand up for Christ.

Personal Worship Option:

Pray with me: “Almighty God, I want to be a disciple of Christ and not just a believer. Give me the courage to stand up, to speak up, and to let others see in my life that I am a follower of your Son, Jesus Christ. It is in his name I pray. Amen”

Daily Devotion for March 17, 2024

 

Devotion:

For an audio version of this devotion, click here.

Read Luke 16:10-15.

I was recently at a conference where an 82-year-old businessman inspired us. In his lifetime, he has led eleven different companies, in some cases rescuing them from struggles and in other situations simply taking them to new levels of productivity. He told about starting out before he was ten years old with a newspaper route. His parents taught him to give one-third of his money to the church, to put one-third of it in savings and he could spend the rest of it. He learned many lessons in that simple beginning, not the least of which was to work hard and be wise with how he used his money. As he continued to grow in those lessons, he became a very successful businessman. But just as importantly, he has used his wealth to help many people and to help grow the kingdom of God.

Jesus’ lesson here is simple, yet powerful. If we are faithful and diligent in the small situations of life, we will be given more and more opportunities to learn and grow and bless other people. The opposite is also true: if we are dishonest or cut corners in the small tasks and opportunities of life, nobody is going to trust us with the things that matter most.

Be thankful for each and every opportunity you have to serve the kingdom of Christ in any way. No matter how small something may seem, when you are faithful in doing your part, God can use that to make a huge difference in the lives of other people. Be constantly on the lookout for how you can use your resources to further his kingdom and bless other people.

Personal Worship Option:

Offer this prayer or one in your own words: Generous God, thank you for opportunities you regularly give me to serve your kingdom and bless other people. Thank you for all that you have given me. Help me always make what I have available for your use. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Daily Devotion for March 16, 2024

 

Devotion:

For an audio version of this devotion, click here.

Read 1 Samuel 3:10-20.

Even though he was just a boy, Samuel was given his first test as a servant of God. He had already let God know that he was willing to serve. God gave him news of what was going to happen to Eli, the priest who had been his mentor and helped him recognize God’s voice. He was afraid to tell Eli what he had been told. Eli continued to be a good mentor, encouraging (even threatening) the boy to tell him everything God had said. And Samuel passed the test. He told Eli everything. From that time on, Samuel grew in his relationship with God and became a great prophet.

Sometimes assignments we are given in the life of the kingdom, or the life of the church can be something we really do not want to follow through on doing. Maybe we feel inadequate to do the job or, like Samuel, there is something about it that intimidates or scares us. Be reminded today that when the Holy Spirit guides you to do something, it is important to follow through with it and see it through to the best of your ability. Also be reminded that you are not doing that task by yourself, that the Spirit is with you in it and is also working in the life of any other people who may be involved. Be faithful in your role and assignments this day, then move on to whatever comes next.

Personal Worship Option:

What assignment might the Spirit be calling you to this day or this next week? Think about the needs of neighbors, friends, co-workers or any others around you.

Daily Devotion for March 15, 2024

 

Devotion:

For an audio version of this devotion, click here.

Read Luke 21:1-4. Bible scholars tell us that the rich in this passage often drew attention to themselves as they dropped their offerings into the vessels placed in the temple. Imagine trumpets announcing the approach of the rich person holding up their fistful of money for all to see and then dropping it into the treasury with a flourish. We can imagine the poor widow coming quietly and modestly to drop in her two small coins. Her gift was given sacrificially while the rich persons’ were not, and it was her gift that Jesus commended for all of us. Like a lot of us, I grew up in a financially poor family. Yet my mother gave generously to the church, and as a young person hearing this passage or reading it myself, I would identify with her and those who did not have much. Things have changed for me, and now I see myself as one of the rich. While I do not draw attention to or want credit from others for what I give, I struggle to give as sacrificially as did the poor widow or even my own mother. Jesus calls us to be faithful with whatever we have, and for many of us, that is a lot!

Personal Worship Option:

Give thanks today for the financial blessings you have, whether a lot or a little. Ask God to guide you in giving generously and sacrificially. And give thanks for others who have shown you the example of faithful giving.

Daily Devotion for March 14, 2024

 

Devotion:

For an audio version of this devotion, click here.

Read Exodus 2:1-10.

God’s people (the Hebrews of Israel) were living in Egypt where they had been slaves for generations. Even as slaves they thrived and grew in number. A new king felt threatened by the strength of the Hebrews so he ordered all of Israel’s baby boys to be killed by having them thrown into the Nile River. A Hebrew mother who had hidden her newborn son for a short time, put him in a basket and set it among the reeds along the Nile River. Just a side note-the Hebrew word for basket can also mean ark. Does that remind you of Noah who was saved from the water?

The daughter of Pharaoh finds this baby and decides to raise him as her son. She names him Moses, saying, “I drew him out of the water.” Moses’s sister was close by and asked if she needed to find someone to nurse the baby.The real mother was able to be close to him as she nursed him until he went to live with the Pharaoh's family. The Hebrew mom and sister had much faith to carry out a difficult task that they felt God was leading them to do. We need to pray that God will use each one of us as he calls us to various tasks to accomplish.

Personal Worship Option:

Lord, help us be willing to serve, no matter the size of the task, be trustworthy in doing what you ask and do our best. Amen.

Daily Devotion for March 13, 2024

 

Devotion:

For an audio version of this devotion, click here.

Read 1 Kings 17:8-16.

Elijah was God’s prophet during the days of King Ahab. There was a severe drought in the land. This prophet’s story throughout this chapter proclaims God’s provisions for sustaining life at every turn: through the ravens and the waters of the Wadi-Cherith; through a Sidonian widow; and through God’s resuscitation of the widow’s son. The threads which tie these stories together are: Life is made possible by the Lord alone, and the importance of the Word, meaning the word of the Lord as spoken through the prophet.

In today’s verses, Elijah is given instructions by the Lord to go to the city of Zarephath. Just as the Lord ordained the ravens to feed Elijah in the previous verses, now the Lord has ordained a widow to feed him.

This is somewhat confusing for Elijah and particularly confusing for the widow. Being a widow and now with the drought, she has almost nothing. Now, here is this Prophet asking her to share with him, part of the very little food which she has. If anyone had good reasons for not sharing, she did! As she begins to explain why she can’t share, she speaks the same words as Elijah has spoken at the beginning of the chapter, “As the Lord your God lives…..”

Elijah assures her with the words of the Lord, “The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the Lord gives rain on the land.” And the Lord’s words were trustworthy and true.

This widow was faithful and obedient with the little she had and God provided all she needed.

Years ago, a very small congregation made a commitment to the Mustard Tree Ministry to serve over a hundred people in downtown Chattanooga, on every month’s third Thursday. It was a commitment of time, resources and heart. Often on those third Thursdays, we would wonder if there would be enough food to offer all who attended the dinner, but every single time, God provided in miraculous ways, more than enough!

Personal Worship Option:

The third chapter of Hal Donaldson’s book, “Your Next 24 Hours” is titled, “Be Their Miracle”. The focus of the book is that “one day of kindness can change everything.” He writes in the third chapter, “when you and others share what you have, many receive what they don’t have.” What can we share today that together with others, can make a difference for many others?