July 15, 2008

A HUMBLE SERVANT
by Charles R. Swindoll

Read 1 Kings 17:22--23

No words can describe what happened in that little upstairs bedroom when the corpse began to stir and Elijah saw life returning to the boy's body. No words can describe being in the midst of such a trial and then watching God, in a miraculous moment or period of time, work it out. Only you who have been there can nod, smile, and say, "Amen. I know exactly what you're describing; I've seen God do it."

Elijah saw that kind of miracle. It happened before his eyes. Now, look at what he did.

Elijah took the child and brought him down from the upper room into the house and gave him to his mother; and Elijah said, "See, your son is alive." (1 Kings 17:23)

Elijah did not say, "See what I did!" No! That's what we might have done, or perhaps that's what some televangelist might do, but that's not what Elijah did. Elijah quietly walked downstairs with the boy by his side and said, "See, your son is alive."

Once again, words fail to describe the feelings of the mother or the experience between mother and child at that moment.

In years past, Cynthia and I had a close, personal friend who was a dear woman of God and, therefore, a faithful woman of prayer. She prayed for us for many years. Periodically, she would ask, "What's the Lord doing in your life?" When we told her about various things that were happening, her response invariably was, "Isn't that just like the Lord." Or, "Isn't the Lord wonderful! That's just like Him to do this." Rather than being surprised, she was always humbly affirming and grateful. Her God never disappointed. His miraculous powers only strengthened her faith . . . and ours!

That's what Elijah wanted this woman to see. He stepped back into the shadows so that she would see the Lord.

Elijah wanted her to see what God had done and be impressed with Him, not His servant.

Reprinted by permission. Day by Day, Charles Swindoll, July 2005, Thomas Nelson, inc., Nashville, Tennessee. All rights reserved. Purchase "Day by Day" here.