A Daily Devotion for Tuesday, April 21
- ontrakk
- Apr 21
- 2 min read
I Kings 19:15-21
The LORD said to him, “Go back the way you came, and go to the Desert of Damascus. When you get there, anoint Hazael king over Aram. Also, anoint Jehu son of Nimshi king over Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel Meholah to succeed you as prophet. Jehu will put to death any who escape the sword of Hazael, and Elisha will put to death any who escape the sword of Jehu. Yet I reserve seven thousand in Israel—all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal and whose mouths have not kissed him.”
So Elijah went from there and found Elisha son of Shaphat. He was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen, and he himself was driving the twelfth pair. Elijah went up to him and threw his cloak around him. Elisha then left his oxen and ran after Elijah. “Let me kiss my father and mother goodbye,” he said, “and then I will come with you.”
“Go back,” Elijah replied. “What have I done to you?”
So Elisha left him and went back. He took his yoke of oxen and slaughtered them. He burned the plowing equipment to cook the meat and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he set out to follow Elijah and became his servant.
This passage describes Elijah laying his cloak upon Elisha, who God had chosen to succeed Elijah. I love the fact that here we see God’s will directly played out, through Elijah and Elisha. We are not often allowed to see God’s hand so clearly at work, with narration included! I can’t help but believe that if I were more closely in communication with God through prayer I would recognize more of His will for me. I have been thinking about this a lot lately.
Holy Lord, you have been nudging me lately about my prayer life, and I have noticed. Help me, Lord to find my way. Amen
Becky, transforming
1Kings 19:15-21 Blanket of Blessing
These verses from Kings remind me of our prayer shawl ministry. Hillside UMC has had a prayer shawl ministry since 2009. We have given away over 400 hand knit/crocheted shawls. Everyone of them was touched, prayed over, and blessed by our congregtion. We then attach a prayer that offers warmth, comfort, and a hug from God. We hope the shawl offers hope, peace, and love. Many of the thank you notes tell us that that is what this gift offers, whether it is comfort before death, hope in a new treatment, or God's love in times of celebration--such as a birth or marriage.
Prayer: Gracious God, thank you for offering us a way to brin…
1 Kings 19:15-21
The Upper Room’s thought for the day, “where do I feel most connected to God‘s love? “. Although I certainly feel God‘s presence when things are joyful, for me, I feel most connected when I feel weary and exhausted, when things are weighing me down. The sense of God’s presence pushes me forward. Elijah felt he was done, but God’s plan was to push him forward to set up Elisah for his important role, an example for us as we age and grow weary.
Dear God, thank you for being with me when I am weary. Please help me to lift up the young people around me and help them to look to You. Amen.
Tuesday, April 21st
Blanket of blessings
(Focus visitors in my congregation
Today’s reading 1 kings 19:15-21
Kings 19:19
So he departed from there and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen in front of him, and he was with the twelfth. Elijah passed by him and cast his cloak upon him.
Would I be found faithfully doing what God has called me to do, where He has called me to do it? Being a wife, mother, and friend I am not looking for a task that he would send me to something else ,something different. Should I listen more intently. If God’s call to me is clear, then am I living a life that…
I Kings 19:15-21
We have all likely experienced moments in time when we felt the warmth of God’s cloak placed around us. Likewise, we have all felt the chill of what seems like the absence of that cloak. Regardless of our subjective feelings, may we all be like Elisha and trust in God enough to follow confidently, serve diligently and worship whole-heartedly.
Prayer - Merciful God, please cloak me in Your love and care. Sustain me in my effort to be a faithful and effective ambassador for Your kingdom to those who do not know You. Amen
TAA