Editor's note: Enjoy today's devotion from Devotions for the Summer.
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The birds brought Elijah bread and meat every morning and evening, and he drank water from the stream. — 1 Kings 17:6 NCV
Drought is one of a summer’s worst enemies. Unlike far too many people in the world, however, we first-world residents are blessed to have a water supply to draw from even when the rain doesn’t fall. For much of history that wasn’t the case.
Dubbed by King Ahab “the biggest troublemaker in Israel” (1 Kings 18:17 NCV), the prophet Elijah had stopped the rain. Actually, God stopped it in answer to Elijah’s prayer, but the Israelites didn’t turn to God despite their thirst.
Unable to farm much, water their animals, or satisfy their own thirst, the Israelites were forced to make their search for water a daily priority.
Imagine how many trips to the well the Israelites made each day, how many wells dried up, and how many people, animals, and crops perished, yet God’s people did not turn to Him. At this point, generations of Israelites had worshipped Baal and ignored prophetic warnings to turn back to the God of Israel (1 Kings 12; 14; 16). Maybe now they thought Elijah’s God wasn’t real, didn’t care, or wasn’t powerful enough. And maybe you sometimes have similar thoughts.
Our minds, bodies, and spirits cannot hydrate themselves.
So when our spirits are parched, do we pursue other gods, as the Israelites did? Or do we sense the Holy Spirit’s conviction and turn to Him for help? God gives us the freedom to choose. We can bury ourselves in busyness—or cry out to Him for help. We can take our frustrations out on someone else—or hit the pause button for rest and reflection. God will use whatever it takes—removing our resources, blocking our escape hatches, and even drying up our water supply—to reach us. Whether you are among the faithful, the parched, or the proud, turn to your good and gracious God. He is ready to rain His blessings upon you.
Lord, my spirit is dry and my heart is brittle, for I have dismissed Your generous offer of living water. I have realized, though, that I can’t control my life, I don’t have the answers I need, and I don’t even know how to seek them. I only know to turn to You.
If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. — 2 Chronicles 7:14 NKJV
Excerpted with permission from Devotions for the Summer, copyright Thomas Nelson.
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Your Turn
Is your spirit parched today? Lean into the Holy Spirit, ask Him for help, rest, and reflect. God is ready to rain on you! ~ Devotionals Daily