March 12

Reading: 1 Kings 18

I love this story in 1 Kings so much. It is evidence of the fact that God has unconventional plans. He constantly uses the most unique people in the most absurd ways to accomplish what he is looking to do. In this story He tells them to soak the sacrifice. It seems illogical and absurd because that is exactly what it is; but God had a strategy. He was going to show up, despite the fact the plan seemed illogical.

He also includes ordinary people. He has them bring water during a period of drought. We may not appreciate this in the context of this story, but if you were in a situation where you had only a handful of water bottles left to drink and God said to pour them out on this sacrifice, you’d think it seemed crazy too. But God takes what they pour out on the sacrifice and uses it to provide even more water than they had started with. That is the evidence of a God who works in strange ways but receives all the glory.

Think today about your personal sacrifice. When it comes to the part you play in this church are you living sacrificially? Are you willing to pour it out to see God do something miraculous in this valley and in your own life?

Prayer: Father, will you show me the areas I need to be more sacrificial? Will you train my heart to sacrifice more each day to bring you glory? God, will you open my heart and hands to pour out what I hold so tightly to? Open my eyes today.

Kaleb Crabtree, Youth Pastor