Seize the Moment – Day 958
Listen for the Voice of God!
Good morning! This is Pastor Jerry Ingalls from New Castle First Baptist Church and today is Monday, October 31.
Have you ever received a letter from an old friend? Better yet, did you get to hear his voice through a phone call or see her face on a visit? That initial moment of hearing your friend’s voice is surprisingly good. It causes you to press in and listen.
I felt that way today when the prophet Elijah made a surprise appearance – I pressed in to listen! In the Old Testament, outside of 1 & 2 Kings, he only shows up here, in 2 Chronicles 21:12-15:
Then a letter came to him from Elijah the prophet saying, “Thus says the Lord God of your father David, ‘Because you have not walked in the ways of Jehoshaphat your father and the ways of Asa king of Judah, but have walked in the way of the kings of Israel, and have caused Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to play the harlot as the house of Ahab played the harlot, and you have also killed your brothers, your own family, who were better than you, behold, the Lord is going to [bring judgment upon you and your household].’”
As one of the top characters in the Bible, his words demand attention. Alongside of Moses, it is Elijah who stands with Jesus at His transfiguration (Matthew 17:3). Jesus called John the Baptist the “Elijah who was to come” (Matthew 11:14; cf. 17:11-12), in reference to the prophecy of Malachi 4:5-6.
In preparing the way of the Lord, John the Baptist’s message carried the heart of Elijah, “Therefore bear fruit in keeping with repentance” (Matthew 3:8). That has always been the overwhelming message of God’s prophets, “Return to Me!” The coming judgment of God is a gracious call to repentance and life.
God bless you!
If you would like to receive a personal phone call today, all you have to do is dial the phone number below right now and one of us will call you soon.
YOUTUBE:
If you prefer a video, Pastor Jerry reads his devotion on YouTube as well. Click HERE to visit the page.
Videos are posted about a week after the devotion appears in the blog.
(Pastor Ken)
If you would like to receive a personal phone call today, all you have to do is dial the phone number below right now and one of us will call you soon.