Trust and Obey
When was the last time you felt entirely sure about what you heard or what your next steps should be? When did you think that you could trust someone completely?
I have been reading in the Bible about Elijah for a message I am preparing. I’ve studied him in the past, but I wanted a fresh look at the prophet. We first meet Elijah in 1 Kings 17, and I didn’t have to read far for the Holy Spirit to begin to speak to my heart.
In the very first verse of Chapter 17, Elijah clearly states that his calling is to serve the Lord. And then Elijah begins to give the words that God has given Him.
“Now Elijah, who was from Tishbe in Gilead, told King Ahab, “As surely as the Lord, the God of Israel, lives—the God I serve—there will be no dew or rain during the next few years until I give the word!” 1 Kings 17:1
Elijah had a relationship with the Lord, which enabled him to be sure of his service and hear the Lord’s words. And then, because of his relationship with God, Elijah could obey the instructions God had given him and trust in God’s provision.
“Then the Lord said to Elijah, 3 “Go to the east and hide by Kerith Brook, near where it enters the Jordan River. 4 Drink from the brook and eat what the ravens bring you, for I have commanded them to bring you food.”
5 So Elijah did as the Lord told him and camped beside Kerith Brook, east of the Jordan. 6 The ravens brought him bread and meat each morning and evening, and he drank from the brook.” 1 Kings 17:2-6
I want to be like Elijah, don’t you?! Don’t we want God to speak to us? Don’t we want to hear Him, trust Him, and then go to the place He commands us to go?
Elijah knew God is faithful, dependable, trustworthy, and worthy of his obedience. We can know this too, but we have choices we must make.
We can be like Elijah if we listen. God speaks, but we must open our ears to hear Him. God provides for our needs, but we must choose to trust and depend on Him. And God will guide and direct our steps, but we must follow Him in obedience!
We can choose to listen, trust, and follow if we have a relationship with God as Elijah did. Elijah knew God, so he was sure that the God he served was alive and active in his life.
I know there are times in my life that I don’t listen, trust, and follow God as Elijah did. And those are the times that I need to confess and repent of and determine to make different choices.
What choices will you make today to listen, trust, and follow God? What changes in your life do you need to make based on your relationship with God?
Prayer: Dear God, You are faithful, dependable, and trustworthy. Open my ears to listen and hear when you speak. I ask for a submissive spirit to depend on you and the courage to trust you to supply all of my needs. Help me to walk in obedience to your commands and follow your will wherever you direct. Amen.
© 2022 Robin R King
