We read about Elijah in his high-points of strength - the triumph over
the prophets of Baal (1 Kings 18:36-39) - and his low-points of
weakness - he is ready to give up: “I’ve had enough now, Lord” (1 Kings
19:4). How did Elijah get into such a mess? He forgot this: “The
Lord’s power was on Elijah” (1 Kings 18:46). In all life’s ups and
downs, we must hold on to this: The Lord has sent His Spirit of power
to live in us (2 Timothy 1:7). How are we to live in the power of the
Spirit? We need to feed on the Word of God and drink in the Word of God
(1 Kings 17:4). We need to pray that the Lord will send His showers of
blessing (1 Kings 17:14). We are to live our life “according to the
Word of the Lord” (1 Kings 17:16). For our life of faith to be strong
in the Lord, we need to listen attentively to the preaching of God’s
Word (1 Kings 17:24).
“At the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem”, the keynote of the service was joyful thanksgiving. They gathered together “to celebrate joyfully the dedication with songs of thanksgiving” (Nehemiah 12:27). “On that day they offered great sacrifices, rejoicing because God had given them great joy” (Nehemiah 12:43). They sang “songs of praise and thanksgiving to God” (Nehemiah 12:46). This joyful thanksgiving is only a foretaste of the greater joy and thanksgiving of heaven: “There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away” (Revelation 21:4). In the city of God, “the glory of God” will be shining with everlasting brightness (Revelation 21:23). The Church of God will be “prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband” (Revelation 21:2). The beautiful picture of the godly wife in Proverbs 31 gives us an outline of what God is seeking to do in His people. It is summarized in Proverbs 31:30: “A woman who fears the Lord is to be
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