You Should Function With Confidence

Throughout scriptures, we see examples of men and women of God whom God spoke to and as a result, they stepped out in faith knowing that the God who spoke will deliver. Just to name a few;

Abraham

 Genesis 12:1, 4 (NIV)

The Lord had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you.

 So Abram went, as the Lord had told him; and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he set out from Harran

Emphasis Mine

What about Moses? He had a burning bush encounter (Exodus 3) after which he was given specific instructions on how to go and deliver the Israelites out of Egypt. He did exactly as he was told and despite the challenges, the end result was glorious.

Think about Noah; God told him to build the Ark, despite every challenge, he did s God had instructed and the end result was glorious.

Genesis 6:1, 5 (NIV)

The Lord then said to Noah, “Go into the ark, you and your whole family, because I have found you righteous in this generation. 

 And Noah did all that the Lord commanded him.

Emphasis Mine

Time will not permit me to tell you the details about all the heroes of faith listed in Hebrews 11. This chapter contains a great list of individuals who permitted God’s word to determine the seasons of their lives and they prevailed. Amen!

These examples are necessary to let us know that we do have a cloud of witnesses. Men and women of God in the past allowed God’s word to determine the seasons of our lives and they succeeded. So, we can be learned from their experiences and be confident that because God’s character is unchanging we can be certain about our success if we permit Him to guide us. Amen!

You Encounter Many Aspects of His Character

In 1 Kings 17, many aspects of the character of our Father were demonstrated which are still relevant to us today.

When Elijah received the word from the Lord as seen in this chapter,

-The Faithfulness of God the Father was revealed in that Elijah saw the fulfillment of all that the Lord had specifically told him.

God told him to hide at the brook Cherith, drink from it and expect to be fed by the Ravens. It happened just as He said.

God told Him to go to Zarephath and a widow will provide for Him. It happened just as the Lord said.

-We see God in this chapter as a God of provisions. He provided for Elijah, the widow of Zarephath and her family. His provisions were not limited to food and water but also extended to protection and life.

-We see God demonstrate His resurrection power by raising the widow’s son from the dead.

-We also see His love being demonstrated. We understand that God is love and God has love and he demonstrates this love in many ways in this particular chapter. Love is patient and love is kind; these aspects are demonstrated when the Father patiently waited for the word he released to Elijah and the word He released to the widow through Elijah, to come to fulfillment. Amen!

When we do not allow Him to lead the directions of life, we rub ourselves from the one way of knowing His character. So, I encourage you to permit the Father to be all that He should be in your life.

Your Challenges Become Stepping Stones

This is so because you rely solely on God’s wisdom and direction. When you hear God, understand Him and do what he has asked you to do, you are simply operating in faith. It is faith because your operation, sustenance, and outcome of the assigned task are totally dependent on the word you received and implemented. So, when faced with a challenge or challenges, you can be confident that you will overcome and make it to the next level. Amen!

Let’s be very practical as we read these verses. There was a drought and Elijah was instructed to go meet the widow at Zarephath to provide his needs. The widow said she only had a handful of flour and a little olive oil. That statement was true yet very discouraging from a physical standpoint. How can you ask someone in that condition to go ahead and make bread for you first before feeding her family? Think about it.

Elijah could ask for his share of the bread first because he was not operating out of emotions but out of faith. Elijah understood the faith walk. He had received a word and his only responsibility was to implement that word and see results. Amen!

Another challenge was that, the widow’s son died, yet God raised him up from the dead and that action alone brought about a testimony. What was her testimony? 1 Kings 17:24 tells us…

Then the woman said to Elijah, “Now by this I know that you are a man of God, and that the word of the Lord in your mouth is the truth.”

From the brook Cherith drying up, to Elijah asking for bread from a widow who could barely feed herself and her family, to her son dying; all we see beyond the challenges are steps of victory. Amen!

So, my encouragement to you is this, when your faith is at work, challenges will come, however, do not grow weary in the process. Remind yourself of the word you received and have faith in the Father that you will see results. Amen!

Vigilance Is Required

We can say without a doubt that, indeed, God’s word to you is the best tool you can use to determine the seasons of your life. We previously examined that, He will speak to you directly or reveal Himself through the pages of scriptures. Amen! Let’s take this a step further. It is imperative to remain vigilant in order to recognize the vessels through which God will use to minister to us. We see this in the life of Elijah and the widow of Zarephath. The Lord spoke to the widow through Elijah. Listen to what scriptures have to say;

1 Kings 17:13-14 (NKJV)

 And Elijah said to her, “Do not fear; go and do as you have said, but make me a small cake from it first, and bring it to me; and afterward make some for yourself and your son.  For thus says the Lord God of Israel: ‘The bin of flour shall not be used up, nor shall the jar of oil run dry, until the day the Lord sends rain on the earth.’”

Emphasis Mine

1 Kings 17:16 (NKJV)

The bin of flour was not used up, nor did the jar of oil run dry, according to the word of the Lord which He spoke by Elijah.

Emphasis Mine

It is noteworthy that,

1)     God did not speak to the widow through scriptures

2)     God did not speak to the widow directly

3)     God spoke to the widow through a vessel – the prophet Elijah.

Vigilance is very much required when it comes to allowing the word to determine the seasons of our life. Allow the Holy Spirit to guide you on this journey. He is your helper. Be vigilant to recognize and know when God is using a vessel to bring His word to you. Amen!

Understanding Is Required

In order for God’s word to determine the seasons of your life, you need to understand “the word” for you during that season. In 1 Kings 17, when the word of the Lord came to Elijah with instructions as mentioned in verse 2 and verse 8, the word spoken by the Lord was specific to Elijah for that season. Remember that the drought was declared when King Ahab ruled Israel, however, I am not certain how much surface area the drought covered. It, therefore, means that many people were affected by the drought and many survived the drought as well. However, the survivors were not sustained by the same “word” that came to Elijah. Elijah’s sustenance during this season of his life was somehow tied to “the words” he received from the Lord on different occasions. Amen!

Another point worth mentioning here is that “the word” that came to Elijah was not a written word. The bible does not tell us that Elijah read scriptures somehow and understood what needed to be done. The word came to him; another translation says that the Lord spoke to him. This is very significant because it exposes us to the many ways that the Father speaks to us. Elijah did not read scripture and suddenly got a revelation out of it, rather he received a direct word from the Lord which is equally important. Amen!

So, as you make up your mind this season to allow God’s word to determine the season of your life, remember the following;

-He could speak to you through scriptures by revealing Himself to you beyond the pages of your bible.

-You could receive a direct word from Him by Him speaking to you directly.

Whatever, the case, purpose in your heart to understand what He is saying. Ask the Holy Spirit to give you understanding. Is the word for you as a person or is it not for someone else? Amen!

Love And Faith Are Required

Previously, we examined that obedience is required as we allow God’s word to determine the seasons of our life. Obedience, love, and faith are godly attributes that are inseparable.

We are told in scripture that “We love Him because He first loved us” – 1 John 4:19 (KJV)

Also, “Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me”. John 14:21a (NIV). Amen.

We also understand that according to His command, faith requires works. James 2:14-26 (NKJV). Amen.

How are these applicable? When God’s word comes to you like it did for Elijah, you receive the word and your decision to comply with the word received is an act of obedience, based on love (His love for you and your love for Him). Then, your ability to implement the word received is an expression of faith. Amen!

So, it suffices to say that, these 3 attributes function together. In order for the next season of your life to find full expression, you need to engage your obedience, love, and faith in God. We can rest assured that our God will speak to us when he has to, however, the question is “What will you do with what He has told you?” Elijah heard and Elijah did. The Widow of Zarephath heard and she did. They expressed their faith and as a result, the door to another season of their lives opened’. Do the same and be blessed. Amen!

Obedience Is Required

Obedience is required, in order to allow God’s word determine the seasons of our life. The only way to transition from one season of our life to another as we receive the word is to act in obedience. Obedience can be likened to a key that unlocks the door of a season. Amen!

1 Kings 17:9a (NKJV)

So he went and did according to the word of the Lord, for he went and stayed by the Brook Cherith, which flows into the Jordan.

Emphasis Mine

1 Kings 17:10a (NKJV)

So he arose and went to Zarephath. And when he came to the gate of the city, indeed a widow was there gathering sticks. And he called to her and said, “Please bring me a little water in a cup, that I may drink.”

The principle of obedience is required as we rely on God to determine the seasons of our life.

Emphasis Mine

Elijah did not have a dispute with God. When the Word came, he did accordingly.

In order to experience the benefits, each season of our lives have to offer, we need to live in obedience. Meaning, we need to comply, carry out or behave in accordance with the instruction, direction or request given to us in scripture. What is the Father saying to you this season? Are you complying with the instruction, the direction or the request?

When it comes to obedience, the choice is yours. It is preferable to obey instantly – as soon as you receive the word from the Lord, you apply. Rather than debate with God on reasons why you cannot do what He has instructed. Amen!

When the word of the Lord comes to you and you implement the Word immediately, just as Elijah did, it is an expression of your faith in God and your trust in the character of God (as a Father who is faithful, responsible, and dependable).

As a child of God, your obedience will be tested. The Father Himself desires for you to handle more responsibilities and the obedience test will reveal to Him your capacity. Amen.

In 1 Kings 17, obedience to the word was the key that unlocked the next season of Elijah’s life. So it was with the Widow of Zarephath. It was her obedience to the Prophet Elijah that resulted in her and her son enjoying an inexhaustible supply of oil and flour.

1 Kings 17:16 (NKJV)

The bin of flour was not used up, nor did the jar of oil run dry, according to the word of the Lord which He spoke by Elijah.

Emphasis Mine

How could she have known that although she was down to her last use of oil and flour, her obedience to the Prophet, by making bread for him first will result to a continuous supply of oil and flour? Obedience!

Most often, the next phase of our lives, or the breakthroughs we so much long for, are all wrapped up in obedience. Obey God’s instruction to you today and expect a great outcome. Do not let fear, unbelieve, discomfort, discouragement and all the negative aspects of life rub you. Amen.