DEVOTION - WEDNESDAY, MARCH 14, 2012

DEVOTION - WEDNESDAY, MARCH 14, 2012

“THE VALLEY OF ARMAGEDDON”

BY

REV G MEL DUNN

BRIDGEPORT AND CENTRE SQUARE UMC CHURCHES

“RACING THE RAIN FROM MT CARMEL TO MEGIDDO”

“It came about at the seventh time, that he said, "Behold, a cloud as small as a man's hand is coming up from the sea." And he said, "Go up, say to Ahab, 'Prepare your chariot and go down, so that the heavy shower does not stop you.'"

1Ki 18:45  In a little while the sky grew black with clouds and wind, and there was a heavy shower. And Ahab rode and went to Jezreel.

1Ki 18:46  Then the hand of the LORD was on Elijah, and he girded up his loins and outran Ahab to Jezreel.

I KINGS 18:44-46 (NASV)

As I stood that day, on the ruins of Megiddo, the royal city of Ahab and Jezebel, I was amazed at the size of that great valley that stretched before me.   I thought of the great battles fought there over ages past and of that battle between good and evil that will bring this age to an end.

But, them our guide, Mike, retold the story of Elijah and the prophets of Baal.  One prophet many.  Yet, the power of the “True God”.  Our God stopped the rain in Israel, and then He sent a drenching rain from a tiny cloud.

And, then he gave Elijah the strength to out run the King’s Chariot the length of that wide Valley.

In time of need God provided the strength that Elijah needed.   And, today in our time of need, God provides all that we need....  As the songwriter penned -

He giveth more grace when the burdens grow greater,

He sendeth more strength when the labors increase,

To added affliction He addeth His mercy,

To multiplied trials, His multiplied peace.

-Anne J Flint-