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T H E K I N G ' S B U S I N E S S and yet through her unselfish gen erosity she- was permitted to sustain the prophet of God for nearly two years. We should always make God our pre ferred creditor. We should do some thing for Him before we do anything for ourselves. Giving to God in this way, we always get more from Him. He will not be any man’s debtor. This woman gave but one meal to the proph et and God sustained her for two years. We must sow if we would reap. “ Is thy cruse of comfort failing? Rise and share it with another. And through all the years of famine it shall serve thee and thy brother. Love divine will fill thy storehouse, or thy handful still renew, Scanty fare for one will often make a royal feast for two.” SUNDAY, January 8. I Kings 17:17- 24. Death and Resurrection. It is possible that Elijah’s life at Zarephath was brightened by the com panionship of the widow’s son. What a heart-breaking sorrow it must have been to the mother and the prophet when the little boy suddenly sickened and died! The man of God took the- dead child in his arms, carried him to his chamber and laid him on his own bed. Already by his prayers he had sealed up the dew and the rain; why might he not raise the dead? Divine power had done the one, why not the other? To be sure, it was an unheard of thing in human history, but is any- thing_too hard for God? So he stretch ed himself again and again upon the lifeless body, crying out to God, “ O Jehovah my God, let this child’s soul come into him again.” His prayer was answered and descending with him to his mother’s chamber, the prophet had the unspeakable satisfaction of placing him alive in his mother’s arms. MONDAY, January 9. I Sam. 15:10- 23. The Necessity of Obedience. When God sent Elijah to Zarephath, He said, “ I have commanded a widow woman there to sustain thee.” The emphasis belongs on “ there.” There was no assurance of sustenance else where. One must be ir the will of God to have implicit faith. We are some times called upon to leave a beloved Cherith and go to an unwelcome Zare phath. We hesitate and shrink from going. As soon as we refuse obedience, the light that shone upon our pathway grows dim and dark clouds gather a-
prayed. Scripture is the mould in which our pravers should always run. THURSDAY, January 5. Luke 1:5-20. The Source of Elijah’s Strength. What was the secret of Elijah’s strength? It did not lie in himself or his environment. He was of humble origin, and had no special training. The name Elijah may be translated “ Jeho vah is my strength.” The first three words of his address- to Ahab were, “ As Jehovah liveth.” X Kings- 17:1. This gives the key to his life. If God was the strength of his life, of whom should he be afraid? Job said, “ I know that my Redeemer liveth.” That made him patient. Paul said, “ I can do all things through Christ who is my strength.” That gave him courage. “ Before whom I stand.” Elijah was standing before Ahab but he was conscious of the presence of another and a greater king. The angel Gabriel could not designate himself in better words. The recogni tion of the presence of God will deliver us from the fear of man, and from all other fear as well. Elijah felt himself to be the accredited ambassador of Jehovah. FRIDAY, January 6. I Kings 17:1-7. By the Brook Cherith. Carmel lifts its head toward heaven with the appeal of the spectacular and heroic. Cherith is hieden away among the hills and few there be who find it Cherith however was harder than Car mel. There is stimulus and inspiration with a visible foe that can be reckoned with. It is one thing to charge the enemy with bands playing and banners flying, surrounded by a cheering host. It is another thing to stand alone upon the field and die if need be, waiting for re-enforcements that do not come. It takes more grace to wait patiently be side a little brook and watch it dry up day by day than to smite the prophets of Baal upon the mountains. God is equal to the struggle on the hill top and the lonely vigil in the valley. "As thy days so shall thy strength be.” SATURDAY, January 7. I Kings 17: 7-16. The Barrel and the Cruse. This experience shows the minute ness of Divine Providence. This poor widow went out wit,_i sad heart to gather fuel for her last meal, when she meets the prophet of God who turns her sorrow into joy. However meager our resources we can always do some thing for God if we have the will. This woman was as poor as she could be,
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