O give thanks to the Lord.
You are good.
Your steadfast love endures forever.
(adapted from Psalm 136:1)
1 Kings 19:1-21
Elijah has performed great acts and, as a consequence, has angered the queen. She has issued a death sentence. He's fleeing for his life.
And he gives up. He prays to the Lord, "I've had enough. I'm ready to die," and he lies down ready for his prayer to be answered.
Instead, the Lord sends a messenger to him who provides him with food and also encouragement.
The Lord gives him more work to do: Anoint a king to replace Ahab. Anoint a prophet to continue your work.
Elijah continues his journey. He finds Elisha, the one the Lord has designated to be his successor.
Elisha is at work plowing when Elijah approaches him. He's ready to go but wants to say goodbye to his parents first. Commentators disagree on whether the text tells us that Elijah let him do this or not. In either case, Elisha slaughtered the oxen providing a meal to feed the people. Then he set out with Elijah.
Acts 12:1-23
Some of the religious authorities found the new church to be so threatening that King Herod resorted to violence. When that seemed to please his supporters, he then had Peter put in prison. The Lord sent an angel to release Peter who then left Judea and went to Caesarea. Herod was very angry but soon died.
Psalm 136:1-20
Proverbs 17:14-15
The beginning of strife is like letting out water;
so stop before the quarrel breaks out.
One who justifies the wicked and
one who condemns the righteous
are both alike an abomination to the Lord.
Prayer for Today: O Lord, keep us mindful that your steadfast love endures forever. In times of despair, send us encouragement. In times when others are in despair, send us to show your steadfast love to them. Amen.
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