GOD’S DESIRE FOR THE NATIONS
After Elijah warned King Ahab about the coming drought in Israel, he fled to the wilderness. Eventually, the Lord sent Elijah out of Israel to the land of Sidon, where God had commanded a widow to provide for his needs. In this way, God both protected Elijah from Ahab and provided for his needs during the drought and resulting famine. It also showed the Lord’s care for the widow and her son. For even though they were not Israelites, God used Elijah to meet their physical needs and to impact their faith in Him. For although Israel was chosen to be God’s very own people, they were chosen in order that God might bless all the nations of the world. For God promised Abraham that “in your Seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed” (Gen. 22:18).
And that “Seed” is Jesus. For Jesus was the fulfillment of that promise that Elijah’s ministry foreshadowed. That Jesus would be the mediator of God’s blessing to Jew first but also to the Greek and to all nations.
PRAYER: Dear Father, thank You for Your provision and protection, but most of all thank You for Jesus. Yet, Your desire for the nations continues. We feel the passion of Your Spirit in us for carrying the gospel to the ends of the earth. Strengthen us this day to accomplish this great commission You have given us through Jesus, Your Son. In His name we pray, amen.