Daily Reading: Matthew 17
Scripture Focus: Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him (Matthew 17.12)
Devotional Thought: Elijah has already come?
People of Jesus' day believed Elijah, the prophet, was to come. He had come in the Old Testament, but he was to come again. In Malachi 4, God had said he would send the prophet Elijah before the day of the Lord. From this, Jewish scholars understood that Elijah would come before the Messiah. So, when Peter and John saw Elijah with Jesus on the mountain, they were very excited about what that could mean. Jesus surprised them saying, "Elijah has already come." Jesus was speaking of John the Baptist.
From days of antiquity, people had been asking, "Where is 'Elijah'?" God's people began looking for God to raise up a prophet like Moses, who would speak the word of the Lord to them (Deuteronomy 18.15). In 2 Kings 2, Elisha asked, "Where is the God of Elijah?" Today, I would ask, "Where are the Elijahs of God?"
The Elijahs of old, bravely proclaimed justice and righteousness in their days of governmental injustice and personal sin.
But, is it wrong to ask, "Where are the Elijahs of God?" today? Where are the heralds of God's Kingdom, those who will face the evil powers of injustice and immorality and then courageously call them out?
Would people recognize you as an Elijah of God?
Prayer: Father, thank you for sending your prophets to proclaim the Kingdom of God. Help me to be an Elijah in my day, so that people can hear the good news of God's love revealed in Jesus. Amen.
Psalm of the Day: Psalm 91.9-16
9 Because you have made the Lord your dwelling place— the Most High, who is my refuge— 10 no evil shall be allowed to befall you, no plague come near your tent.
11 For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. 12 On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone. 13 You will tread on the lion and the adder; the young lion and the serpent you will trample underfoot.
14 “Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him; I will protect him, because he knows my name. 15 When he calls to me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him. 16 With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.”
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