Christianity Oasis Forum

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| Bible in a Year: Joshua 7-9; Luke 1:21-38

Chirpy


READ 1 KINGS 17:2–6
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The ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning
and bread and meat in the evening, and he drank from the brook.
1 Kings 17:6
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For twelve years, Chirpy, a seagull, has made daily visits to a man who’d helped him heal from a broken leg. John wooed Chirpy to himself with dog biscuits and was then able to nurse him back to health. Though Chirpy only resides in Instow Beach in Devon, England, between September and March, he and John Sumner find each other easily—Chirpy flies straight to him when he arrives at the beach each day, though he doesn’t approach any other human. It’s an uncommon relationship, to be sure.

John and Chirpy’s bond reminds me of another uncommon relationship between man and bird. When Elijah, one of God’s prophets, was sent into the wilderness to “hide in the Kerith Ravine” during a time of drought, God said he was to drink from the brook, and He’d send ravens to supply him with food (1 Kings 17:3-4). Despite the difficult circumstances and surroundings, Elijah would have his needs for food and water met. Ravens were unlikely caterers—naturally feeding on unseemly meals themselves—yet they brought Elijah wholesome food.

It may not surprise us that a man would help a bird, but when birds provide for a man with “bread and meat in the morning and bread and meat in the evening,” it can only be explained by God’s power and care (v. 6). Like Elijah, we too can trust in His provision for us.
By Kirsten Holmberg
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**REFLECT & PRAY
Loving God, please help me to trust in You to meet my needs
no matter what my circumstances might be.

~~How has God provided for your needs in surprising ways?
How has this deepened your trust in Him?

Help more people find Jesus this Easter


>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>SCRIPTURE INSIGHT<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
Ahab (874-853 bc), eighth king of the Northern Kingdom of Israel (1 Kings 16:29-22:40), made the worship of Baal—the Canaanite fertility god of storm and rain—a state-sponsored religion. He was Israel’s most wicked king, for he “did more to arouse the anger of the Lord, the God of Israel, than did all the kings of Israel before him” (16:33). God warned He would send drought and famine if His people were unfaithful (Deuteronomy 11:16-17; 28:22-24). The withholding of rain for three and a half years (1 Kings 17:1; Luke 4:25) was a direct assault on Baal, climaxing in Yahweh’s victory over the false god on Mount Carmel with the dramatic downpour of rain (1 Kings 18:16-46). K. T. Sim