The Tree Church Daily

1 Timothy 6: 17-19 (ESV)

As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.

Explanation:

The truths contained in this passage rest on the premise that God owns it all, and it is He who distributes wealth as He sees fit. If I don’t believe this, even a library full of books on generosity won’t change my heart. Wealth is a relative term, but if you scour the four corners of the world, you will quickly find that most of us are considered wealthy by comparison; these words apply to us. Our job is to manage that wealth in ways that glorify His name. In God’s economy, wealth comes with the expectation that we view ourselves as distribution centers through which God can bless people in need. We are called to do good things with God’s money, to help each other when needs arise.

I love how the Apostle Paul skillfully combines two profound teachings of Jesus concerning money: how we spend it reveals what matters most to us (Matthew 6:19-21), and we should use it to build His kingdom now so we can realize the rewards in eternity (Luke 16:11). We cannot spend God’s resources recklessly, and at the same time be positioned to share with others what He entrusts to us.

Application:

1. Have you ever experienced a time when someone’s generosity made a difference in your life?

2. Do you know of someone right now you could be generous to?

3. Our heart follows our treasure (money). If someone examined your bank account today, where would they say your heart is?

Prayer Starter:

Ask God today to make you aware of a need you can meet with a generous hand. Ask Him to search your heart to reveal if your financial priorities line up with the instructions in these verses.

Devo Plus:

Read Matthew 6:19-24 and reflect on why Jesus has so much to say about how we spend money.

2 Corinthians 9:6-15 (ESV)

The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. As it is written,

“He has distributed freely, he has given to the poor;

his righteousness endures forever.”

He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God. By their approval of this service, they will glorify God because of your submission that comes from your confession of the gospel of Christ, and the generosity of your contribution for them and for all others, while they long for you and pray for you, because of the surpassing grace of God upon you. Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!

Explanation:

Have you ever had a moment when you knew God was calling you to be generous? And in that same moment, you began to question? “But how will I pay my bills?” “God, don’t You know that would completely deplete my savings that I have worked so hard to build back up?” “I worked hard for that money, and now You are telling me to give it away?” It is human nature to find ourselves in that place any time we are called to give generously to another.

But God promises us over and over again that when we walk in obedience, He will take care of us. Because of this, I believe when we are called to give generously to others, we can do so with a cheerful attitude. The truth is, God can do so much more with my money than I can. He can do so much more with your money than you can. When God calls us to be generous, there is going to be way more blessing than if we keep it all to ourselves. Through our generosity, God can feed a family or help someone pay medical bills. Our generosity can even lead others to come to know the Lord. By being a cheerful giver, God can completely transform someone else’s life. When we give, we often don’t get to see the bigger picture and all that happens because of it. Our cheerful giving can have a snowball effect. We can give cheerfully because we know God is going to work something amazing.

Wouldn’t it be amazing to know that your generosity impacted beyond what you could have ever imagined? Sow generously my friends, and sit back in awe at what God does because of your extravagant generosity, given from a cheerful and willing heart.

Application:

1. Would you consider yourself a cheerful giver? Why or why not?

2. How does this passage challenge you to think differently about being generous to others?

3. Can you think of a time when you gave generously to someone else? What blessings did you experience because of it?

4. Who is God calling you to give generously to? I encourage you to do it this week with a cheerful and expectant heart.

Prayer Starter:

God, You have given us so much. We cannot thank You enough for all of Your blessings, and the things You have done to save us and redeem us. We know everything we have been given has come from You. Will You help us today to think of others? Will You help us not only to be generous givers, but to do so with joy, to be cheerful any time we are given the opportunity to bless someone else? Will You lead and guide us? Show us someone we can bless through an act of extravagant generosity. And it is our hope that through this, You will be glorified. We love You, and it is in Your Name we pray. Amen.

Devo Plus:

Check out The Message translation of this passage:

Remember: A stingy planter gets a stingy crop; a lavish planter gets a lavish crop. I want each of you to take plenty of time to think it over, and make up your own mind what you will give. That will protect you against sob stories and arm-twisting. God loves it when the giver delights in the giving.

God can pour on the blessings in astonishing ways so that you’re ready for anything and everything, more than just ready to do what needs to be done. As one psalmist puts it,

He throws caution to the winds,

giving to the needy in reckless abandon.

His right-living, right-giving ways

never run out, never wear out.

This most generous God who gives seed to the farmer that becomes bread for your meals is more than extravagant with you. He gives you something you can then give away, which grows into full-formed lives, robust in God, wealthy in every way, so that you can be generous in every way, producing with us great praise to God.

Carrying out this social relief work involves far more than helping meet the bare needs of poor Christians. It also produces abundant and bountiful thanksgivings to God. This relief offering is a prod to live at your very best, showing your gratitude to God by being openly obedient to the plain meaning of the Message of Christ. You show your gratitude through your generous offerings to your needy brothers and sisters, and really toward everyone. Meanwhile, moved by the extravagance of God in your lives, they’ll respond by praying for you in passionate intercession for whatever you need. Thank God for this gift, his gift. No language can praise it enough!

2 Corinthians 8:1-12 (ESV)

We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints— and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us. Accordingly, we urged Titus that as he had started, so he should complete among you this act of grace. But as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you—see that you excel in this act of grace also.

I say this not as a command, but to prove by the earnestness of others that your love also is genuine. For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich. And in this matter, I give my judgment: this benefits you, who a year ago started not only to do this work but also to desire to do it. So now finish doing it as well, so that your readiness in desiring it may be matched by your completing it out of what you have. For if the readiness is there, it is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have.

Explanation:

One of Paul’s main objectives during his missionary journeys was to take up a collection for the saints in Jerusalem. A famine had swept the land, and Paul wanted the churches of Asia Minor to support the church in Jerusalem. In this passage to the Corinthians, he is discussing such matters for the purpose of encouraging the Corinthian church to follow suit of the Macedonian churches who gave so generously.

Paul highlights the fact that the Macedonian churches gave above and beyond their means, not just out of their abundance, but out of their poverty. And they did so because they had been so impacted by the grace of God that they were compelled to show love through this offering.

Paul encourages the Corinthians who made such pledges of generosity to now see it through, so through their generosity they might experience the blessing that the Macedonian church had experienced.

Application:

1. What is one thing that stands out to you in this passage?

2. Paul defines generosity not in the amount given, but the amount sacrificed. Does that change how you define generosity?

3. Is there a situation in your life where you know you have been called to be generous, but worry about not having enough? Is there something specific you feel God is leading you to do in that situation?

4. Have you ever committed to being generous, even if it was only a mental commitment to yourself, but not followed through? Maybe you should follow through on that commitment, and see how God provides for you.

5. Would it change your view of generosity if you knew you were tapped into the limitless resources of God?

6. How has Christ’s generosity in giving His life for us impacted your life? Does it encourage generosity in your heart?

Prayer Starter:

Jesus, change our heart toward others. As we walk into Your presence and receive the abundant generosity You offer us in grace, please help us to show the same to others. God, help us to hold our possessions loosely, and hold tightly to the promise that You will always take care of us.

Devo Plus:

Read Luke 21:1-4 and meditate on the idea that generosity is not a position of abundance, but a posture of thankfulness.

Here’s the thing…I didn’t really understand tithing until my husband looked at me one day and asked, “We’re tithing, right?” I handle all of the finances for our family, and I didn’t understand how to truly tithe. I always thought we just gave what we had “left over” after the bills were paid. Why do I bring up tithing? It’s the best way to describe God’s generosity, and then in turn, it makes us generous.

After that conversation, we began tithing faithfully. Jumping forward in our story, we were saving to build a house. Very strictly, I might add. And God had placed a timeline of three years on my heart when we began saving. My husband didn’t see how this was possible since we had just come out of a time when our savings had dwindled down to nothing.

Then our church proposed a plan for a new church/renovation. Jay and I prayed about it separately, then came together and discussed it. God had told us the same thing: 5% of our income would go toward the new church. This was a HUGE shift in our finances, and we assumed we’d have to put off building the house for a time.

But God.

We pledged the 5% during the church renovation (in addition to our tithe of 10%) AND were still able to save money to build the house. I can’t explain it other than God. Seriously. It wasn’t a financially comfortable time for us; we gave up a lot and we gave a lot to others when He asked us to. But God made it happen and was so generous with us. It was a heart training for us to give and not be tied to our finances. To learn to operate with open hands and open hearts.

So, when the pledge time was over, we decided to continue giving the 5%, and put it in a benevolence fund so we could bless and help others when He called us to. That has been the biggest blessing and spiritual strengthening for me. God used a financially uncomfortable time for us to train us for what He was going to do in our hearts for the future. When He calls Jay and me to use our finances in a certain way to bless others, it makes me so emotional that I get see the Kingdom of God at work firsthand.

What if this week we get uncomfortable? What if we were so radically generous to others that we can see the Kingdom at work? What if we were so generous that others are overwhelmed by the Kingdom?

Prayer Starter:

Dear God, when You lead us to give, will You help us remember that You are always faithful in our obedience? Please show us today how we can be more generous. Help us to trust You with our finances, and to remember You always provide. We are so thankful that You are a generous God. Help us to be the same. Amen.

Psalms 112:5-9 (NLT)

Good comes to those who lend money generously and conduct their business fairly. Such people will not be overcome by evil. Those who are righteous will be long remembered. They do not fear bad news; they confidently trust the LORD to care for them. They are confident and fearless and can face their foes triumphantly. They share freely and give generously to those in need. Their good deeds will be remembered forever. They will have influence and honor.

Explanation:

Generosity will cure two problems that money can create. Rich people may abuse others in their desire to accumulate wealth. Generosity will eliminate that abuse. Also, the fear of losing money can be a snare. Generosity and respect for God places our trust in Him, not our money, for our justice and security.

We all want to live without fear, and the psalmist is teaching us that fear of God can lead to a fearless life. To fear God is to respect and revere Him as the almighty Lord. When we completely trust God to take care of us, we will find that our other fears, even our fear of death itself, will subside.

Application:

1. To become generous, you must start by doing generous things. It takes practice.

2. To realize someone is in need, and not do something tangible to help that need, is a denial of faith.

3. David said, “I will not give that which costs me nothing.” In our giving, we must be honoring. As simply as I can state it, “Don’t give your stained or worn-out clothes, but buy them clothes you would want to wear.”

4. When our children see us living a life of generosity, we are setting the next generation up for success because they will naturally follow our example.

5. Make spiritual eye contact with need. It is there. You have to want to see it. Someone needs your help today.

Prayer Starter:

Lord, soften our hearts to the genuine needs around us. Give us wisdom to separate being enablers for the irresponsible, to being helpers of that person who is being responsible, needing to get to the next step. Help everyone processing this devo to open their heart to your direction and to be vessels of provision for the needs of the marginalized and oppressed. May we become radically generous in a selfish world and proclaim your name through acts of love.

Devo Plus:

In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” (Acts 20:35 NIV)

But King David said to Ornan, “No, I will certainly pay the full price; for I will not take what is yours for the Lord, nor offer a burnt offering which costs me nothing.” (1 Chronicles 21:24)

Exodus 35:20-21; 36:3-7 (ESV)

Then all the congregation of the people of Israel departed from the presence of Moses. And they came, everyone whose heart stirred him, and everyone whose spirit moved him, and brought the Lord's contribution to be used for the tent of meeting, and for all its service, and for the holy garments.

And they received from Moses all the contribution that the people of Israel had brought for doing the work on the sanctuary. They still kept bringing him freewill offerings every morning, so that all the craftsmen who were doing every sort of task on the sanctuary came, each from the task that he was doing, and said to Moses, “The people bring much more than enough for doing the work that the Lord has commanded us to do.” So Moses gave command, and word was proclaimed throughout the camp, “Let no man or woman do anything more for the contribution for the sanctuary.” So the people were restrained from bringing, for the material they had was sufficient to do all the work, and more.

Explanation:

There are tons of takeaways for today’s reading, but there are two specific ones we are going to focus on. The first is the heart of the people, and the second is the unique way God used each individual. These show us two pivotal ingredients for living a life of extravagant generosity toward God and others.

When we look closely at the response of the people when they were given this task by God and Moses, we see that their hearts were “stirred.” Whoever felt their spirit moved, responded the way they were uniquely equipped to move. Each person had a unique way that they could contribute to the project of completing the sanctuary. (Side note: A completed sanctuary meant the promise of God’s presence would be with them. This is one of the greatest promises God could ever give His people.) Going back to our focus today, we must now place ourselves in a similar situation. How do you think you would respond if given this opportunity? All of us must realize that we are given these types of opportunities nearly every day of our lives, if not all the days of our lives.

God has uniquely created us with special skills and resources to further the kingdom of God. We have gotten the unfathomable gift of experiencing the presence of God. And by contributing to the church, we are providing a way not only for us to continue to experience His presence, we are providing that same experience for every person who is impacted by the church’s ministry. We are part of an extremely generous church already, full of people whose hearts have been stirred and spirits moved, and in turn responded in generosity. Wouldn’t it be incredible, though, to be a church where every person who calls our church home, responded to the point where there was an overflow? If you have been stirred and your spirit moved, and have not responded yet, now is the time to take that step and watch the blessing of God come alive in you and in the church.

Application:

1. Why do you think the promise of experiencing the presence of God is such a powerful motivator for the people in today’s reading?

2. How can this promise also be a motivator for us to be generous with the church and others?

3. What is your typical response when you hear the call to be generous with the church and others?

4. How would you like to be more extravagantly generous in your life?

Prayer Starter:

There is absolutely no doubt that You have been extravagantly generous toward us, God. Thank You so much for that generosity. I want to reflect this in my own life, so I ask You not only to give me a soft heart and a moved spirit, but also the faith to follow through with that calling each and every day of my life.

Devo Plus:

Read John 3:16. How does this verse show just one way that God has been generous with us?

Luke 21:1-4 (NLT)

While Jesus was in the Temple, he watched the rich people dropping their gifts in the collection box. Then a poor widow came by and dropped in two small coins. “I tell you the truth,” Jesus said, “this poor widow has given more than all the rest of them. For they have given a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she has.”

Explanation:

This short passage holds such a powerful point—give to God first, even when it’s a sacrifice. This woman, who had virtually nothing, was a giver. In most translations, the Bible says this woman gave more than all of them added together with her two small coins. She gave what she would otherwise have used for basic living expenses, while the men at the temple were giving out of their surplus. God isn’t looking for us to give in quantity; He’s looking for us to give in faith—even when it’s scary.

This story is one we can pick up and apply to today’s times. Are you giving sacrificially to God? Do you give Him your “first fruits” as a sacrifice, or do you give Him the leftovers? When I read in this story how the men were giving their surplus, I think about the containers at restaurants or gas stations that I often throw my spare change in when I get a few pennies back from my purchase. I’m truly mindlessly giving those three or four pennies and walking away. This was likely the mindset of these men. In the same way I won’t miss those few pennies, they were giving money that they wouldn’t miss either.

When we have the mindset of the widow, giving to God out of faith even when we don’t know where the money to pay the electric bill is coming from, we position ourselves to be immensely blessed. Sacrificial giving, although it can be very scary, forces us to place 100% of our trust in God. In both the Old and New Testament, scripture shows us multiple examples of faithfulness in God being rewarded. This should remind us that when we choose to give out of sacrifice and fully trust Him, He will always take care of us.

Application:

1. Have you ever placed yourself in a position where you gave out of sacrifice (instead of abundance)? How did it feel?

2. Why do you think God wants us to give out of sacrifice?

3. If you are not familiar with stories of sacrifice in the Bible, take a moment and Google “sacrifice in the Bible” to see the multiple examples of how God was faithful to those who gave sacrificially. How do these stories make you feel about God’s reaction to the sacrifice of His people?

Prayer Starter:

Ask God to show you areas in your life where you’ve held back giving sacrificially. Don’t limit it to your money; allow him to show you where your time and talents can be used as well.

Devo Plus:

Read Proverbs 3:9-10, Ezekiel 44:30, 2 Corinthians 9:7, and Malachi 3:8-10 to learn more about how we should purpose our hearts and minds in giving.

Acts 16:25-34 (NLT)

Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening. Suddenly, there was a massive earthquake, and the prison was shaken to its foundations. All the doors immediately flew open, and the chains of every prisoner fell off! The jailer woke up to see the prison doors wide open. He assumed the prisoners had escaped, so he drew his sword to kill himself. But Paul shouted to him, “Stop! Don’t kill yourself! We are all here!”

The jailer called for lights and ran to the dungeon and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. Then he brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”

They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, along with everyone in your household.” And they shared the word of the Lord with him and with all who lived in his household. Even at that hour of the night, the jailer cared for them and washed their wounds. Then he and everyone in his household were immediately baptized. He brought them into his house and set a meal before them, and he and his entire household rejoiced because they all believed in God.

Explanation:

Paul and Silas had unjustly been thrown into prison for casting an evil spirit out of a little girl. They were stripped and beaten and put into stocks in their prison cell.

There is a sense of inner freedom the Christian finds that transcends outer forms of bondage and restriction. A Christian can be in prison and be free. A Christian can be persecuted and be free.

Paul and Silas abounded in real freedom, and they had the response we all want to have…they worshipped God. Not only did they worship, they were still worshipping at midnight, and were singing so loudly the other prisoners could hear them. Can you imagine the impact their response had on other prisoners? It was truly amazing. God showed up in the form of an earthquake. This earthquake was so specific, doors opened instead of jammed and chains broke instead of being bent. All prisoners were freed from that prison, but the jailer was freed from his prison of sin, because he repented of his sins.

Application:

1. Midnight hour is a phrase associated with crunch time. Do you have personal situations that feel like they are running out of time for God to act? What do you learn from Paul and Silas’s response?

2. What things would you feel had to be present in Paul and Silas for them to have such a good response?

3. Chains are anything that hold us down and restrict us from a productive, abundant life. Can you identify things in your life that are holding you down?

4. Who did the work in this situation? Paul and Silas have no recourse regarding their chains. They had no keys or tools, and were totally reliant on God to break those chains. Their trust in God was well placed. Who else could design the perfect earthquake to open doors and break chains?

5. God wants to break your chains. He alone has the power and ability to open doors for you, and to break off chains that are holding you in bondage.

6. Paul and Silas suffered so well (by choosing to praise God) that a whole household was saved. How does this encourage you to respond with praise during times of deep pain?

7. Who is watching and listening to your response?

Prayer Starter:

Jesus…I worship You and praise You for Your gift of salvation and Your provision of eternal life. Thank You so much for that sacrifice. Now I need a miracle. I need the doors of ______________ to open for me and for the chains of _____________________ to be broken off my life. I know You have the power and ability to lead me and set me free! I am asking for divine direction and courage to obey Your voice, and to be led into freedom and liberty. I ask all of this in Jesus’s name.

Devo Plus:

So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. (John 8:36 NIV)

2 Kings 6:8-18 (ESV)

Once when the king of Syria was warring against Israel, he took counsel with his servants, saying, “At such and such a place shall be my camp.” But the man of God sent word to the king of Israel, “Beware that you do not pass this place, for the Syrians are going down there.” And the king of Israel sent to the place about which the man of God told him. Thus he used to warn him, so that he saved himself there more than once or twice.

And the mind of the king of Syria was greatly troubled because of this thing, and he called his servants and said to them, “Will you not show me who of us is for the king of Israel?” And one of his servants said, “None, my lord, O king; but Elisha, the prophet who is in Israel, tells the king of Israel the words that you speak in your bedroom.” And he said, “Go and see where he is, that I may send and seize him.” It was told him, “Behold, he is in Dothan.” So he sent there horses and chariots and a great army, and they came by night and surrounded the city.

When the servant of the man of God rose early in the morning and went out, behold, an army with horses and chariots was all around the city. And the servant said, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?” He said, “Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” Then Elisha prayed and said, “O LORD, please open his eyes that he may see.” So the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. And when the Syrians came down against him, Elisha prayed to the LORD and said, “Please strike this people with blindness.” So he struck them with blindness in accordance with the prayer of Elisha.

Explanation:

Elisha walked in close relationship with God. He sought his face. He listened and he obeyed. He hung on every word of the Lord and believed it to be true. And he prayed bold prayers for God’s glory. He prayed bold prayers on behalf of the faith of others and believed for their answer. When his servant was worried for his life, Elisha knew that God always wins, and prayed that his servant would be able to see God as Elisha did. And God answered, not just for the servant to see and believe…but also so we would see and believe, thousands of years later. Seeing our God through eyes of faith has the power to strip our fears, give us unbelievable direction, and walk us to victory.

Application:

1. Are there areas in your life where you fail to see how a certain situation could ever work out well?

2. Spend some time in prayer asking God to search your heart for areas where you need faith to see what He’s doing. Ask Him for eyes to see and faith to walk forward, even if the waters in front of you are choppy.

Prayer Starter:

Father, You are all-powerful, You are glorious, You have a plan, and You are always on time. Give us eyes to see You working, both in front of us and in the spiritual realm. Build our faith and our fortitude, in Jesus’s beautiful Name.

Devo Plus:

You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is he who is in you than he who is in the world. (1 John 4:4 NASB)

Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith. (1 Peter 5:8-9 NIV)

“No weapon that is formed against you will prosper ad every tongue that accuse you in judgement you will condemn. This is the heritage o the servants of the Lord, and their vindication is from me,” declares the Lord. (Isaiah 54:17 NASB)

1 Kings 18:22-39 (ESV)

Then Elijah said to the people, “I, even I only, am left a prophet of the Lord, but Baal's prophets are 450 men. Let two bulls be given to us, and let them choose one bull for themselves and cut it in pieces and lay it on the wood, but put no fire to it. And I will prepare the other bull and lay it on the wood and put no fire to it. And you call upon the name of your god, and I will call upon the name of the Lord, and the God who answers by fire, he is God.” And all the people answered, “It is well spoken.” Then Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, “Choose for yourselves one bull and prepare it first, for you are many, and call upon the name of your god, but put no fire to it.” And they took the bull that was given them, and they prepared it and called upon the name of Baal from morning until noon, saying, “O Baal, answer us!” But there was no voice, and no one answered. And they limped around the altar that they had made. And at noon Elijah mocked them, saying, “Cry aloud, for he is a god. Either he is musing, or he is relieving himself, or he is on a journey, or perhaps he is asleep and must be awakened.” And they cried aloud and cut themselves after their custom with swords and lances, until the blood gushed out upon them. And as midday passed, they raved on until the time of the offering of the oblation, but there was no voice. No one answered; no one paid attention.

Then Elijah said to all the people, “Come near to me.” And all the people came near to him. And he repaired the altar of the Lord that had been thrown down. Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, to whom the word of the Lord came, saying, “Israel shall be your name,” and with the stones he built an altar in the name of the Lord. And he made a trench about the altar, as great as would contain two seahs of seed. And he put the wood in order and cut the bull in pieces and laid it on the wood. And he said, “Fill four jars with water and pour it on the burnt offering and on the wood.” And he said, “Do it a second time.” And they did it a second time. And he said, “Do it a third time.” And they did it a third time. And the water ran around the altar and filled the trench also with water.

And at the time of the offering of the oblation, Elijah the prophet came near and said, “O Lord, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known this day that you are God in Israel, and that I am your servant, and that I have done all these things at your word. Answer me, O Lord, answer me, that this people may know that you, O Lord, are God, and that you have turned their hearts back.” Then the fire of the Lord fell and consumed the burnt offering and the wood and the stones and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench. And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces and said, “The Lord, he is God; the Lord, he is God.”

Explanation:

Elijah knew precisely who he was praying to. The truths that Elijah declares tell of a God who is faithful throughout all generations. They tell of a God who still was connected to His people in Elijah’s time, even though so many were unsure and even in disbelief. Elijah’s confidence came from remembering God working in the lives of Israel in the past, God working in his own personal life, and God’s promise to continue to work in the lives of His people if they called on Him. Therefore, Elijah did call on Him, and the way God responded to the cry of Elijah was amazing. It was the precise thing Elijah and the people of Israel needed to stir their faith, to focus their worship on the one true God again.

What an incredible thought, that God hears the voice of His people. If you think about it, this was probably not the only thing going on in the world that day. Yet, God was fully attentive to the individual prayers of His people. He is the God of Abraham, Isaac, Israel (Jacob), and all His people. That includes you. Like Elijah, there may be something unique and special God wants to do through your prayers. Not every prayer you pray will be answered in such a dramatic way, but your prayers still matter, because they connect you with God and enrich your faith.

Like Elijah, our prayers must start with defining in our hearts who God is and how He is for us. When we start from this place, it allows us to come before God more confidently, in complete awareness of what He is fully capable of doing through our prayers.

Application:

1. How does understanding that God is for us, and what He is capable of, establish how we pray?

2. How do you typically approach God in prayer?

3. What has influenced you to approach God in this way?

4. What are some next steps you would like to take when it comes to your prayer life?

Prayer Starter:

God, there has never been a day that You have not been faithful to Your people, and that includes me. I know You are for me. Thank You that I can approach You in prayer. My faith comes not in how beautifully I pray, but in how capable You are to move in my life.

Devo Plus:

Pray this prayer: “What truth would You like me to understand that would allow me to pray more faithfully to You?” Then take 10 extra minutes today to rest quietly before the Lord and listen to how He responds to you.