Day 40 – No Fear In Poverty and Drought
1 Kings 17:13 Then Elijah said to her, “Do not fear; go, do as you have said, but make me a little bread cake from it first and bring it out to me, and afterward you may make one for yourself and for your son.
Story: The widow is ready to die. One last meal is all that is left for her and her son, and then death by starvation. But God sends a prophet, Elijah, to rescue her. Except, it’s not quite that easy. This widow of Sidon is to give this prophet of Israel some of her last portion of food. If she does this, the promise is that God will supply her needs until the drought ends (v. 14). ‘Do not fear’ are Elijah’s first words to her, precisely because that is her greatest need.
My Prayer Response: Father, drought and poverty do not keep You from providing for Your people. When I think about and focus on Your promises to Your people, I will not fear or be anxious. Without You, it looks bleak; but You change everything. You alone strengthen our faith for the difficulties of our days.
May the LORD give you this day your daily bread!
Day 41 – Wait on God’s Direction
2 Kings 1:15 The angel of the Lord said to Elijah, “Go down with him; do not be afraid of him.” So he arose and went down with him to the king.
Story: Though King Ahaziah, son of Ahab and Jezebel, demanded Elijah’s presence, the man of God did not go until he had God’s approval. This particular man that Elijah was to go with was a captain of fifty soldiers. Two previous captains had approached Elijah with their 50 men, but they did not believe Elijah to be a man of God. So, fire came down from heaven twice and consumed all the men. But this third captain gives the king’s summons and then pleads for his life and that of his men. Elijah is not to be afraid of going with this man because he has regard for the one true God of Israel.
My Prayer Response: Father, when we wait on you, and follow Your ways, we have no reason to be afraid. No matter the circumstances; no matter those around us. Teach me to wait patiently on You for direction, rather than going with my first response. It’s only as I follow You that I have an effective testimony in the lives of others.
May the LORD guide you today as you wait on His direction!
Day 42 – God Will Take Care Of You
2 Kings 4:1 Now a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets cried out to Elisha, “Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that your servant feared the Lord; and the creditor has come to take my two children to be his slaves.”
Story: Sometimes, it seems like fearing and obeying God leads to trouble. A prophet had committed himself to serve and fear the LORD, but he dies. His wife and two children are left behind, along with a number of unpaid bills. As the debts pile up, the two children are to be sold into slavery for payment! So the widow cries out to Elisha, and I can rightly imagine her desperation. But, through Elisha, God performs a miracle; oil flows to fill every vessel so she can sell the oil. Not only is the widow able to pay off the debts, but she is able to live debt free from the proceeds!
My Prayer Response: Father, at first, to fear You brings this family to almost ruin! Sometimes, to fear You means facing desperate difficulties. But I never face these alone! You are with me, and my family. You are for me, and my family. You always take care of Your people, even at our lowest points. Thank You for this reminder of Your presence and provision.
May the LORD provide for you as you fear Him!
Day 43 – Horses and Chariots of Fire
2 Kings 6:16-17 So he answered, “Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” Then Elisha prayed and said, “O Lord, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.” And the Lord opened the servant’s eyes and he saw; and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.
Story (by Hannah Ross): This story is awesome! The king of Syria is attacking Israel, and so conspires with his servants (I thought the king of Syria was asking his butler and serving maid how to take down Israel, but it turns out that these servants were the lords and barons of Syria). Their scheming is thwarted by Elisha. When the king of Syria realizes he was tricked, he calls his servants; lords, not butlers. I love the answering line the lords give to the king: ‘Elisha, the prophet, who is in Israel, tells the king of Israel the words you speak in your bedroom.’ We know this information truly comes from God and so we can imagine an angel donning his futuristic sunglasses and spy jacket and tip-toeing behind the king of Syria to the theme of Mission Impossible.
So the king sends an army with horses and chariots to capture Elisha. Here comes the cool part. The Syrian army surrounds the city where Elisha is staying. Everywhere Elisha’s servant looks, there was an armed enemy. No escape; high certainty of death! But Elisha is not afraid! He tells his servant not to fear men, but to fear God, because He is greater than any army. God is greater than any kingdom. Then Elisha prays and the servant’s eyes are opened to a completely different army. A greater army surrounds Elisha, protecting him. A greater army full of horses and chariots of fire!
My Prayer Response: Father, yes, it would be really cool to see horses and chariots of fire! But I ask not for my eyes to be opened, but for greater trust in You. Even if I never see any of Your fiery horses or Your angels, I want to live this day by faith in Your protection. You are much greater than anything set against any and all of us. Let us not be afraid, but trust that You are with us and protecting us!
May the LORD gives you eyes of faith to know His protection of you!
Day 44 – Read and Know God’s Word
1 Chronicles 22:13 “Then you will prosper, if you are careful to observe the statutes and the ordinances which the Lord commanded Moses concerning Israel. Be strong and courageous, do not fear nor be dismayed.”
Story: David is old and so starts the transition to God’s chosen successor, his son Solomon. In private, David speaks to Solomon, first repeating God’s Word to David through Nathan the prophet (v. 8-10). Because David has made the effort to know God’s Word, he can exhort Solomon to be careful to observe and obey God’s Word. God’s Word is worth memorizing. It’s worth repeating. It’s worth making it an integral part of life. As an added bonus, it’s through God’s Word that one can be strong, courageous, and without fear.
My Prayer Response: Father, how precious is Your Word! Thank You for these times with You in Your truth. I don’t always see an immediate impact but over the course of years, day in and day out with Your Word is transforming me! The more I am in Your Word, the more I do not fear!
May the LORD prosper you, especially in His Word!