Day 163 - Elijah's Journey: Dependence on God (1 Kings 17-20) - Year 2

All the info you need to START + the printable schedule + links to the Bible we use is on our website: http://dailybiblepodcast.net!

Join the Daily Bible Pod Coffee Club: https://dailybiblepodcoffeeclub.substack.com/

TODAY'S READING:

1 Kings 17:8-24, 1 Kings 18, 1 Kings 19, 1 Kings 20:1-22

WORD OF THE DAY:

Dependence

In the midst of a severe drought, God sends Elijah to a widow in Zarephath. Despite her meager resources—a handful of flour and a little oil—she obeys God's instruction to provide for Elijah. Miraculously, her supplies do not run out. However, her son falls ill and dies, leading her to blame Elijah. Elijah prays earnestly, and God restores the child’s life. The widow’s faith is strengthened, and she declares, “Now I know for sure that you are a man of God, and that the Lord truly speaks through you.”

In the third year of the drought, God sends Elijah to confront King Ahab. Elijah challenges 450 prophets of Baal and 400 prophets of Asherah to a test on Mount Carmel. The true God will answer by fire. Despite their fervent efforts, Baal's prophets fail. Elijah prays, and God sends fire from heaven, consuming the sacrifice. The people proclaim, “The Lord—he is God!” Elijah then slays the false prophets and announces the end of the drought.

Jezebel vows to kill Elijah, causing him to flee in fear. Despite his previous victories, Elijah is overwhelmed and prays for death. He journeys to Mount Sinai, where God reveals Himself not in wind, earthquake, or fire, but in a gentle whisper. God reassures Elijah, instructing him to anoint new leaders and to appoint Elisha as his successor, promising that justice will prevail.

King Ben-Hadad of Aram, allied with 32 kings, attacks Samaria. Despite being vastly outnumbered, King Ahab of Israel receives assurance from a prophet that God has given him the victory. Israel’s small army triumphs, and the Aramean forces flee. A prophet warns Ahab to prepare for another attack, emphasizing ongoing vigilance.

Word of the Day: Dependence

Definition: The state of relying on or needing someone or something for aid, support, or the like; reliance; confidence; trust.

In times of need, God’s provision becomes evident. The widow's flour and oil lasted as promised, and her son was brought back to life. Elijah’s prayer brought fire from heaven, and his announcement ended the drought. True dependence on God involves trusting Him in every circumstance, acting in faith even when resources seem insufficient.

Scriptural Insight:

• Isaiah 53:6: "We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way."
• Romans 7:15, 18, 24-25: "For I do not do what I want, but do the very thing I hate... Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!"

Dependence on God isn’t just belief; it’s living out that belief, as the widow did by providing for Elijah and as Elijah did by confronting the false prophets.

Elijah’s journey shows a deepening dependence on God. Despite his weariness and fear, he trusted God’s guidance. Ministry and life can be exhausting, but God sustains those who rely on Him. Elijah’s despair led to a deeper revelation of God’s presence and purpose.

Dependence is more than avoiding wrong; it’s about actively doing right. Elijah trusted God’s call, prayed earnestly, and saw miraculous results. Even when feeling defeated, God’s gentle whisper reminded him of His presence and plans.

SOCIALS:

Tricia: Instagram | Facebook | Twitter

Michelle: Instagram | LinkedIn

Daily Bible Podcast: Instagram | Facebook | Join the Community

DISCLAIMER: The Daily Bible Podcast, Tricia Goyer, Michelle Hill, and affiliates are not a church, pastor, spiritual authority, or counseling service. Listeners and viewers consume this content on a voluntary basis and assume all responsibility for the resulting consequences and impact.