God's Call to you

The Call

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Imagine yourself in Elijah's place. You are a servant of a God who is hated by the government...


"And the word of the LORD came unto him, saying, Get thee hence, and turn thee eastward, and hide thyself by the brook Cherith, that is before Jordan. And it shall be, that thou shalt drink of the brook; and I have commanded the ravens to feed thee there. So he went and did according unto the word of the LORD: for he went and dwelt by the brook Cherith, that is before Jordan. And the ravens brought him bread and flesh in the morning, and bread and flesh in the evening; and he drank of the brook." 1 Kings 17:2-6

As you are faithful to obey God's call, He will be faithful to use your witness to bring others to Himself. Imagine yourself in Elijah's place. You are a servant of a God who is hated by the government of your country. You've faithfully served God, yet now He wants you to approach the king, the mightiest man in the land, and point out his faults and sins. What faith Elijah had to obey God!

Elijah was given two calls in the first few verses of I Kings 17. These calls are the same calls given to us as Christians today. Let's notice them and apply them to our lives: The Call to Tell. Elijah was called by God to proclaim the truth of God's words to King Ahab. First Kings 17:1 shows us Elijah's message, "As the LORD God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word." What a large task to be given!

I'm sure Elijah felt fear and apprehension speaking before the most powerful man in the land, yet he boldly proclaimed God's truth. What would you have done in Elijah's place? Whether you realize it or not, you are in Elijah's place. God has called you to proclaim the truth of His Word to those around you. Have you obeyed that call? The Call to Trust.

God's second command to Elijah was to wait out the coming drought by a small brook. I'm sure Elijah wondered about food, water, shelter, and provisions; yet God told him to trust Him by obeying His command.When obeying God's call to tell others, He calls you to trust Him. You cannot convince someone to turn to Christ.

Nothing you can say on your own has power to see a life transformed. Only God's working in someone's heart can convict them of their need of His salvation. In faithful obedience to God's call to tell others, you must trust Him to work in people's lives toward salvation. God has called you to be faithful in your witness. Before you speak to someone about the Gospel, be sure you are bathed in prayer. Each day, ask God to give you opportunities to obey His call to tell others. Also, pray that He will work in the hearts of those with whom you'll speak. You may not see immediate salvation, but ask God to use your witness to plant the seed of the Gospel in someone's heart. Are you obeying God's two calls to you-telling others and trusting Him for results? Take time now to approach God about your witness today. Ask Him for opportunities, boldness, and the words to say. Also, ask Him to work in the lives of those you meet. As you are faithful to obey God's calls,

He will be faithful to use your witness to bring others to Himself.

Daily Bible Reading1 Samuel 25-26 Luke 12:32-59