February 21 Daily Devotional

February 21

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 19:15–18

Bible Text:

"Anoint Hazael king over Aram. Also, anoint Jehu ... king over Israel, and anoint Elisha ... to succeed you as prophet" (1 Kings 19:15–16).

Devotional:

Elijah wanted to quit. He asked God to take his life. But instead the LORD gave him another assignment. As long as it pleases God to let us live, he also has a task for us.

Speaking to Elijah on the mountain, the LORD announced the next phase of his plan for the world. Although Old Testament history deals almost exclusively with the descendants of Jacob (Israel), the LORD has not forgotten the rest of the world. In fact, throughout the Old Testament, God was preparing to send the Messiah. And through the Messiah, Jesus Christ, Israel became a blessing to the whole world.

Three times God says "anoint." That means "set apart to do my work." Anoint Hazael, Jehu, and Elisha. Hazael, the Syrian king, will do great harm to Israel. But he was chosen for this work by the LORD. Jehu, too, will be a violent man. He will execute God's verdict on Jezebel. He was set apart for this bloody task by the God of Israel. Hazael and Jehu were God's wind, fire, and earthquake. And through Elisha, the next prophet, God will keep his Word alive among his people.

The rulers of this world may not understand how they fit in God's plan. They may not acknowledge the LORD in their lives. Yet they are marching toward God's great future.

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.