LIVING WORD DEVOTIONAL
By Pastor Mensa Otabil

Tuesday 30th June 2026

A RECEPTIVE HEART

Scripture Reading:* 1 Kings 17:1–10

“Arise, go to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and dwell there. See, I have commanded a widow there to provide for you.” So he arose and went to Zarephath. And when he came to the gate of the city, indeed a widow was there gathering sticks. And he called to her and said, “Please bring me a little water in a cup, that I may drink.” 1 Kings 17:9–10

God speaks to His children. He speaks to us through His word, the Bible. He also speaks to us through the Holy Spirit.

Elijah, the prophet, knew how to receive the word of the Lord. At various times in his life, God gave him words for himself and words for the nation of Israel. In a time of famine, the Lord told him to go to a brook. There, at the brook, the Lord used a raven to feed him. The ravens brought him bread and meat twice a day, morning and evening. And he drank fresh water from the flowing brook.

In spite of Elijah being all alone and hunted down by the king, God protected and fed him. Elijah obeyed God’s leading and found provision and protection.

However, God’s provision and protection was not only supplied in the wilderness but also in the city through the help of a widow. Eventually the brook dried up, and the Lord instructed Elijah to go and stay in the city of Zarephath near Sidon. There he would meet a widow whom the Lord had already instructed to supply food for him.

Elijah obeyed the Lord and made the trip. When he entered the city gate, he saw a widow gathering sticks. This widow was at the point of death, yet God used her to protect and provide for Elijah.

Elijah was a prophet who was used to giving God’s word to others, but he had to also learn to receive God’s word to him. Many times, we can get so preoccupied with giving God’s word to others that we fail to hear what the Spirit of God is saying to us.

As we wait on the Lord, we should pay attention to the instructions that the Lord is giving us individually. Like Elijah, the Lord has planned for our protection and provision. If we listen to Him, we will discover what He has made ready for us.

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, give me a heart that is receptive to your leading. Show me what to do each step of the way._In Jesus’ name, Amen.