Word IMPACT!Sample

Day 5

PROPHETIC WORDS BRING LIFE

Prophetic words turn people and situations around. Prophetic words break the spirit of death. They bring life and hope. Prophets are known for their obedience. They see things as black or white, as right or wrong; they don’t tolerate gray areas. Elijah was a man on the run because he obeyed God’s command to tell Ahab that there would be neither dew nor rain in the land, because Ahab and Jezebel had led Israel into Baal worship. (1 Kings 17:1;16:30-33)

When the brook Cherith, the hiding place where God sent him, dried up because of Elijah’s prophetic word, God told him, “Go and live in the village of Zarephath, near the city of Sidon. I have instructed a widow there to feed you.” (1 Kings 17:9) Zarephath was the stronghold of Baal worship.

The widow was at her wits’ end. There was a spirit of death on her life. When Elijah asked for a morsel of bread, she replied, “I swear by the Lord your God that I don’t have a single piece of bread in the house. And I have only a handful of flour left in the jar and a little cooking oil in the bottom of the jug. I was just gathering a few sticks to cook this last meal, and then my son and I will die.” (1 Kings 17:12)

The prophet answered by stirring her faith. “Do not fear!” he told her. “Be brave. Step out in faith. Do as you said BUT make me a small cake from it first and bring it to me. Then take care of yourself and your son.” (1 Kings 17:13) “For thus says the Lord God of Israel: ‘The bin of flour shall not be used up, nor shall the jar of oil run dry, until the day the Lord sends rain on the earth.’” (1 Kings 17:14) Care for me first, give the first one away and the little that you have will be enough until God sends rain and the crops return.

What a challenge!

Her willingness to receive the prophet by collecting a cup of water for him (1 Kings 17:10-11) unlocked a massive reward for her. Jesus said, “The one who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward…” (Mat 10:41). Prophets see the invisible and touch the untouchable. The widow lived up to the challenge of faith. She stepped out in faith, acted in faith, baked the small cake first. She went and served the prophet first. Submitting and obeying God’s word broke the spirit of death over her and her son. “So she went away and did according to the word of Elijah; and she and he and her household ate for many days.” (2 Kings 17:15)

What we have is enough. When we put it into His hands, He can be glorified by it. We need to serve Him with whatever we have. It will glorify Him. “The bin of flour was not used up, nor did the jar of oil run dry, according to the word of the Lord which He spoke by Elijah.” (1 Kings 17:16)

Father, thank You that Your word breaks the spirit of death and releases life and hope. Give me the heart of a servant to put others first.