Daily Scripture Threshing for Tuesday, March 9, 2021
Today’s Text: 1 Kings 17:8-24
Key Verse: 1 Kings 17:12 (NKJV) — “As surely as the LORD your God lives," she replied, "I don't have any bread — only a handful of flour in a jar and a little olive oil in a jug. I am gathering a few sticks to take home and make a meal for myself and my son, that we may eat it — and die."
In many ways, we look and act pretty much like this Zarephath’s woman. Our conviction is on way; but our confessions go the other way. Anyone who listens to the confession of the Zarephath may agree with me that she's got some amazing faith growing from the very core of her heart. Don't forget that she's a Zidonian, not a Zionist; a Phoenicia, not a Jew. But see how must her declaration indicates her recognition of Elijah as a prophet; and of Jehovah, the God of Israel, who sent him, as the living God.
Her problem, however, is like many church people’s today. We never get to connect confession with conviction. And that's why we never get past the frenzy of religion to the reality of faith. This widow’s declaration, indeed, implies that Jehovah is still hitherto “thy God” (Elijah’s) and no connection with Him yet, nor any personal acknowledgment of Him yet as the woman’s personal God. This is how it is when religion clothes us with all forms of godliness with a subtle or rude denial of the powerful God unto salvation.
God wants us to deal with the Baal-Complex from within and grow up to a full admittance of Yahweh, not only to be "a" living God; but “the” living God. Until we understand and admit that; we, like the Zarephath’s woman, may not be able to own God and say "as the Lord my God liveth." But God wants us to be able to say that. He gives us the opportunity to pass from alienation into adoption of sons. He wants us to drop religion for relationship. He says, “They will be my people, and I will be their God.” (Jeremiah 32:38).
Quote for the Day: “Sin and self are the two hands by which the enemy pulls us away or pushes us back. But God’s love through Jesus draws us.” (Simon Olatunji)
Prayer: Dear Lord, please help me to grow in Your grace and knowledge so that I may grow daily in awareness of my need for You, and in Your love for me, in Jesus name. Amen.
With all my love and prayers,
Rev Simon Wale Olatunji, PhD
The Darling Bishop (DaBishop),
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