The King and the Prophet

After Israel was divided into Israel (North) and Judah (South), all the Kings of Israel in the North failed to serve the Lord. While we only cover a few royals in this series, they were all pretty much the same. Ahab and his line are given the most coverage in Scripture, so we'll follow some parts of his story this week before heading back to Judah. It is during his reign that the prophet Elijah lived.

The introductions of Elijah and Ahab couldn't be more different. They contrast Ahab, the king, with the average, everyday person. Ahab is "living his best life". He's building up his kingdom monument by monument. Elijah feels the full force of the drought. He has absolutely nothing and is utterly dependent on God's miraculous provision. Ahab had everything a man could want and yet wanted more. The widow at Zarephath had nothing and yet gives Elijah what he needs. Ahab killed his own children. Elijah, by the power of the Lord, raised the child of a widow to life.

We, too, can be consumed by the desire for more, even when we already have a lot. However, it is often the case that the more we have, the more we want. More than that, these things just end up creating a barrier between God and ourselves. When we have nothing, we learn to rely on God; when we have everything we only start to build our own kingdom.

Thought Point

Would you respond as the widow did? What might God be asking from you?

Prayer Point

Ask God to help you hand everything you have over to Him, to use for His purposes.