Experiencing God - Day 26
Day 26 - Monday, March 11
Read 1 Kings 19:15-21
Highlight
This week we are digging deeper into the truth about Experiencing God and that: You must make major adjustments in your life to join God in what He is doing. This is where the rubber of faith really starts to meet the road of life. If we’ve heard from God through his Word, prayer, the church or our circumstances and He’s given us direction, the only question left is whether we will be obedient. Often that obedience comes at a cost.
In the story of Elisha we see a clear and somewhat extreme example of what it might cost to be obedient to the calling of God. Elisha has no warning. He’s plowing a field, clearly he has built a life around a plan that did not include being a prophet of God. What’s described here is no small agricultural operation. A ‘yoke’ of oxen is a pair, which means Elisha had 24 oxen which would have been incredibly valuable. It’s clear when Elijah puts his cloak on Elisha, in the middle of his plowing, what he is saying. He is ready to pass the torch of his spiritual leadership as God has commanded in the previous verses. Elisha knows what this means; his entire life is about to be turned upside down.
Notice it says that Elisha had to run after Elijah. In other words, there was no time to consider the request. The decision to follow in obedience or not was clear and immediate. Elisha bravely chooses faithful obedience and not only does he leave everything that was familiar to him, he destroys his most valuable possessions - the oxen are slaughtered and the plow is used for kindling. He’s just sacrificed everything in this world that would have offered him security and comfort. There is no going back.
Reflection & Prayer
For this reading plan we will be using a tool to guide our study of Scripture that’s called the S.O.A.P. Method. It stands for Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer. We recommend you use a journal with this method and write out your thoughts on each of these areas for each day of reading. It doesn’t have to be long-winded and you don’t need a fancy journal. But for anyone that has not journaled before, the benefit is that it often helps us focus and avoid distractions during prayer and Bible study.
S.O.A.P. Method
Scripture - Pick a verse or two that stood out to you and write it in your journal. Be looking for a “Holy Spirit Highlight.” What did you read and think “I needed to hear that” or felt like it was written just for you?
Observation - Now write some observations about the verse(s) or passage. What is this passage or verse saying? About God? About people? How is Jesus revealed in these verses?
Application - Now write a few sentences on how this passage applies to your life. Is there truth about God that you are to believe? A promise to receive? Is the Holy Spirit convicting you of something you need to do or stop doing in light of God’s truth?
Prayer - Now write out a prayer to God in response to this Scripture. This is a way to turn God’s Word to you back to Him. Be honest and express your heart to Him. God always listens and He delights in your prayers. (Psalm 34:15; Proverbs 15:8)
Read 1 Kings 19:15-21
Highlight
This week we are digging deeper into the truth about Experiencing God and that: You must make major adjustments in your life to join God in what He is doing. This is where the rubber of faith really starts to meet the road of life. If we’ve heard from God through his Word, prayer, the church or our circumstances and He’s given us direction, the only question left is whether we will be obedient. Often that obedience comes at a cost.
In the story of Elisha we see a clear and somewhat extreme example of what it might cost to be obedient to the calling of God. Elisha has no warning. He’s plowing a field, clearly he has built a life around a plan that did not include being a prophet of God. What’s described here is no small agricultural operation. A ‘yoke’ of oxen is a pair, which means Elisha had 24 oxen which would have been incredibly valuable. It’s clear when Elijah puts his cloak on Elisha, in the middle of his plowing, what he is saying. He is ready to pass the torch of his spiritual leadership as God has commanded in the previous verses. Elisha knows what this means; his entire life is about to be turned upside down.
Notice it says that Elisha had to run after Elijah. In other words, there was no time to consider the request. The decision to follow in obedience or not was clear and immediate. Elisha bravely chooses faithful obedience and not only does he leave everything that was familiar to him, he destroys his most valuable possessions - the oxen are slaughtered and the plow is used for kindling. He’s just sacrificed everything in this world that would have offered him security and comfort. There is no going back.
Reflection & Prayer
For this reading plan we will be using a tool to guide our study of Scripture that’s called the S.O.A.P. Method. It stands for Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer. We recommend you use a journal with this method and write out your thoughts on each of these areas for each day of reading. It doesn’t have to be long-winded and you don’t need a fancy journal. But for anyone that has not journaled before, the benefit is that it often helps us focus and avoid distractions during prayer and Bible study.
S.O.A.P. Method
Scripture - Pick a verse or two that stood out to you and write it in your journal. Be looking for a “Holy Spirit Highlight.” What did you read and think “I needed to hear that” or felt like it was written just for you?
Observation - Now write some observations about the verse(s) or passage. What is this passage or verse saying? About God? About people? How is Jesus revealed in these verses?
Application - Now write a few sentences on how this passage applies to your life. Is there truth about God that you are to believe? A promise to receive? Is the Holy Spirit convicting you of something you need to do or stop doing in light of God’s truth?
Prayer - Now write out a prayer to God in response to this Scripture. This is a way to turn God’s Word to you back to Him. Be honest and express your heart to Him. God always listens and He delights in your prayers. (Psalm 34:15; Proverbs 15:8)
Posted in Experiencing God