Student Devotional - Week 37: Prophet Isaiah: "I Saw The Lord"

Key Verse: Isaiah 6:8, "Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, 'Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?' And I said, 'Here am I. Send me!'"

You may remember an experience with God that changed your life. Maybe you had an encounter with him at a youth camp, on a mission trip, or during a special service at your church. Wherever it happened, a powerful experience with God is unforgettable and life changing. That's how it was when the prophet Isaiah encountered God.

Isaiah was a prophet in Judah, the southern kingdom. He received his call from God through a direct vision. In his vision Isaiah saw the holiness of God, and he became intensely aware of his own sin. When God cleansed him of his sins, Isaiah was ready to accept God's challenge to be his messenger.

Isaiah was a prominent figure in the Old Testament. His words continued to have influence in the New Testament. He ministered more than 40 years in Judah, and during that time he gave many specific prophecies about the coming Messiah-prophecies that Jesus would fulfill more than 600 years later. Isaiah is quoted more than 50 times in the New Testament, yet his words fell on deaf ears while he was alive. His death was cruel: He was sawed in half during the reign of the wicked Manasseh.

If you understand Isaiah, then you'll see worship differently. In God's presence Isaiah received a mission from God. Isaiah was faithful to God's call until the day he died. You've probably experienced times of worship when God seemed near and powerful. In times like that, you can count on God's holiness convicting you of sin. Then get ready to receive a glimpse of God's call on your life.

Student Devotion Week 36: Prophet Hosea: Unfailing Love

Key Verse: Hosea 6:6, "For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings."

Hosea is the subject of one of the greatest love stories in the Bible. And he was one of God's prophets. Hosea was called to prophesy during the days before Israel was destroyed. God also asked him to do something very unusual. Hosea's obedience to God sent a strong message about the loyal, unconditional love of God.

The ministry of Hosea extended 45 years. He lived his early life in the prosperous land of Israel, but the sin of the people caused conditions in the country to deteriorate. The main sin Hosea speaks of in his book is idolatry. As a way to demonstrate the relationship between God and his people. God told Hosea to marry a prostitute by the name of Gomer. She was unfaithful and left Hosea. Later he found her on the slave market and restored her as his wife.

Hosea and Gomer represent God and Israel. Just as Hosea chose a sinner to be his wife. God chose Israel to be his chosen people. As Gomer was unfaithful to Hosea, Israel was unfaithful to God by worshiping idols. Hosea redeemed Gomer because of his love. That was a picture of God always loving his people with perfect love.

Have you ever tried to love someone who's hurt you? Maybe you were hurt by a parent, a relative, or a friend. Hosea felt that same pain. It's the same pain God feels. Our usual response to someone who hurts us is to stop loving that person. That wasn't what Hosea did, and that isn't how God responds to us. Be thankful for God's unconditional love. As a Christian, practice unconditional love in your day-to-day relationships.

Student Devotional - Week 35: Prophet Elisha: Equipped for God's Purpose

Key Verse: I Thessalonians 5:24 - "The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it."

I remember the first time I was asked to fill in for the morning disc jockey at a local Christian radio station. I'd been a deejay in the 80s, but today's technology made radio a new adventure. The regular morning person taught me the basic computer skills for the job. He prepared me well, but I was still nervous on my first day. I made a few mistakes, but the training helped me to keep the station on the air for four hours.

Elijah was a mentor to Elisha. While Elijah was hiding out from Queen Jezebel, God told him to anoint Elisha as the next prophet. The two men spent ten years together. When God took Elijah to heaven in a chariot of fire, Elisha was left to carry on the work.

When the time came for Elisha to do God's work without his mentor, Elisha picked up Elijah's cloak and struck the water of the Jordan River. The water parted, and the people watching knew God had called Elisha to be Elijah's successor.

God performed many miracles through Elisha; but most importantly, Elisha always spoke God's words in God's time.

You may be fortunate enough to have a mentor to train you to fulfill God's call on your life. Perhaps your mentor may be your youth minister or your parent. But the day will come when you must step out on your own and do God's work. You can trust God; He'll never call you to a task without giving you what you need to accomplish it.

Student Weekly Devotion Week 34: Prophet Elijah: Never Alone

Key Verses: James 5:17-18, "¹⁷Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. ¹⁸Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops."

Sports fans love great match-ups like an all-star pitcher facing a home-run hitter or a great quarterback taking on a top defensive team. Sometimes the encounters become legendary-basketball's Larry Bird playing against Magic Johnson, or Muhammad Ali boxing Joe Frazier.

The Old Testament includes a story about a battle of historic proportions, and if they'd had big stadiums back then, this event would have been a sellout.

Elijah was fed up with the way the Israelites were wavering between worshiping God and Baal. So on famous Mount Carmel, Elijah challenged the prophets of the false god. Big crowds gathered to watch 450 of Baal's prophets attempt to get their god to burn up a sacrifice. Then it was Elijah's turn. God answered his two-sentence prayer, and fire fell from heaven.

Because Queen Jezebel was a big follower of Baal, she vowed to have Elijah killed after he embarrassed the prophets of her god. So Elijah ran for his life. Then, despite his victory on Mount Carmel, his fear of Jezebel caused Elijah to feel depressed and alone. He even prayed for God to take his life. During that time God ministered to Elijah and helped him see he wasn't alone. God was with him at all times.

Today, we have something available to us that Elijah didn't have in his day: The Holy Spirit of God living in us. When we feel sad and lonely like Elijah did, we don't have to ask God to appear for our comfort, because he already lives in us. And that's a comfort you can always depend on.

Student Devotional Week 33: Prophet Elijah: The Provision of God

Key Verse: 1 Kings 17:16, "For the jar of flour was not used up and the jug of oil did not run dry, in keeping with the word of the Lord spoken by Elijah."

When Solomon died, the nation of Israel was shattered. Israel was made up of 12 tribes-each composed of descendants of one of Jacob's sons. The 10 northern tribes refused to follow Solomon's son Rehoboam. They chose Jeroboam as their king and abandoned the southern tribe of Judah. Meanwhile, Judah (along with the much smaller tribe of Benjamin) remained loyal to Solomon's son.

During this time of political tension, God began to raise up prophets to speak his words against the sins of the people. God spoke to the prophets in various ways, but each prophet was called to proclaim God's words to his people.

The prophet Elijah prophesied against the wicked King Ahab of the northern kingdom (Israel) and ended up fleeing for his life. God sent a drought to the region. Eventually, God sent Elijah to a poor window in the village of Zarephath. When Elijah asked her for bread, she told him she was down to her last bit of flour. Elijah told her if she'd bake him a small loaf of bread from her tiny supply of flour, God would provide for her and her son. The widow acted in faith, and God miraculously refilled her flour container each time she prepared a meal. When her son later died, the power of God brought the boy back to life.

God is always providing for his people. Sometimes we overlook the provision of God until we face difficult times. God took care of Elijah. He took care of the widow and her son. And he'll take care of you.