February 6 Daily Devotional

Monthly Theme:

Elijah's name is his mission: "My God is the LORD." Elijah teaches us the meaning of repentance by the removal of idolatry. Unless we obey the Word, God's blessings don't descend. Instead, the land will experience a terrible drought.

Bible Reading:

1 Kings 18:1–8

Bible Text:

"Go and present yourself to Ahab, and I will send rain on the land" (1 Kings 18:1).

Devotional:

Every day they had something to eat in the house of the widow at Zarephath. But after Elijah had stayed there for two or three years, he must have felt "on hold" forever. From the point of view of his impatient servants, God never seems to be in a hurry.

Finally God spoke: "Go and present yourself to Ahab." The drought would now end as it had begun—at the Word of God proclaimed by Elijah.

The famine in Samaria was severe. Every morning the burning sun rose to parch the earth. Evenings brought no relief. As Ahab's pastures dried up, he and his palace chief, Obadiah, searched the land for a valley where the mules and horses could graze. These animals were the core of Israel's military strength. In fact, the remains of the stables at Megiddo and the inscriptions of an Assyrian king tell us of the great might of Ahab's chariots.

Even after years of drought and suffering, Ahab, Jezebel, and Israel did not respond to God's judgment. They did not repent. Instead, God took the initiative. He sent a message through Elijah, saying, "I will send rain on the land."

Baal—the god of fertility—cannot send rain; the LORD will send it. God's prophet will display God's power; the gifts of rain and grace will revive the land and its people.

Andrew Kuyvenhoven's Daylight, a modern devotional classic, was originally published in 1994. This edition is copyright by Faith Alive Christian Resources, from whom may be ordered Daylight, the predecessor of Twilight.

A man of many accomplishments, Andrew Kuyvenhoven is probably best known for his contributions to Today (formerly The Family Altar), a widely-used monthly devotional booklet associated with the Back to God Hour. Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations for this edition of Twilight are from the New International Version

Be sure to read the "Preface" and the "Acknowledgments" by the author.