Preparing for Power Part 3Sample

Struggles allow us to enter into God's presence and protection.

In 1 Kings 17, we read about how God is preparing Elijah for things to come by testing and growing his faith. At this point in 1 Kings 18, Israel is three years into the drought Elijah warned was coming as a result of the Israelites turning their back on God. It’s a devastating consequence for their disobedience. Drought brings about famine, poverty, illness, starvation, and a lot of suffering.

God is showing his disobedient and sinful children that He, not an idol like Baal that they have begun to worship, is the only one in control and the only one worthy of praise. It’s no coincidence that in the Canaanite religion, Baal controls rain and fertility. The “god” the Israelites have been praying to for the restoration of their land has been completely silent. Those three years of drought stood to prove that no other God but Yahweh controls the earth and everything in it.

Now, God has spoken to Elijah again and He is ready to end the drought. But Elijah has some work to do first.

Ask Yourself:

-What is an area of struggle for you right now?

-In the midst of this struggle, how have you experienced God’s presence and protection?

-How can you view struggle differently if you think about it as a way to rely more heavily on God’s power in your life?

Pause to Pray: Father God, thank you for choosing me as your child. Thank you for your presence in my life, even if I don’t see it. Please help me as I work to overcome ______....

Take a Next Step: Is there someone in your life who is struggling right now? Take some time to reach out to them and let them know they’re not alone.