On Wings Of Eagles

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Monday, January 9, 2012

My Business, Elijah and the Ravens.


1 Kings 17:2-6 (King James Version)
 2 And the word of the LORD came unto him, saying, 3 Get thee hence, and turn thee eastward, and hide thyself by the brook Cherith, that is before Jordan. 4 And it shall be, that thou shalt drink of the brook; and I have commanded the ravens to feed thee there. 5 So he went and did according unto the word of the LORD: for he went and dwelt by the brook Cherith, that is before Jordan. 6 And the ravens brought him bread and flesh in the morning, and bread and flesh in the evening; and he drank of the brook.

As a small businessman, one of the worries I always seem to have is the economy: "What if all the work I'm doing brings no new clients? What if no orders come in?  I think, among other worries, "What if... What if...?" I see others businesses shutting the door, and I worry, worry, worry.

As Always if I turn my attention to God’s word I will get some answers. As I read in 1 Kings I can learn a lesson from Elijah. Just like Elijah -- all the time, whatever the economic conditions, good or bad. We are all fed by ravens. We are all completely dependent on God for everything in our lives. Those customers that come to my site and place an order, are just like the ravens that came over the hill with bread and meat to feed Elijah each day. I am fed by ravens every day. There are no effective "business plans". There are no meaningful "economic stimulus programs" -- and there never were -- throughout human history.

We may mean well in planning, and certainly, we should help as many others as we can. But as to each of us individually, no matter what position we are in, it can all disappear in an instant. That business can dry up; that grant can end; that job can disappear; the economy can tank; poor health can rob us at any time of the ability to care for ourselves. This is true today, and it was also true when we thought, "The times are good." It’s just easier to forget the fact when things are going well. Being self-reliant is a good character trait, but we can never save ourselves.

Although I must work hard to build my business and support my family, and everyone must work hard to the best of our ability, if I am in God's will, as Elijah was, in the long run, one way or another, God will care for me and my family as He so chooses. If we are obedient, He will care for us. He will provide our daily bread. All that we have comes from Him each day of our lives and always will. For that, we must be truly thankful.

Dear Lord we thank You today for sending the ravens to feed us. Help us to remember that everything we have comes from You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

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