file: /pub/resources/text/Our.Daily.Bread: db941105.txt
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OUR DAILY BREAD                        Saturday, November 5, 1994
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READ:  1 Kings 19:1-18

                   "RENEWED HOPE"

       [Elijah prayed], "Lord, take my life."...
        Then the Lord said to him, "Go, return
                     on your way."

                 -1 Kings 19:4, 15

People who live without hope can become suicidal.  So
it was with an Italian prisoner of war being held on a
military base in the United States during World War II.
He had become despondent after learning that his wife
had died in Italy.  The camp commander, knowing that the
man had been a stonemason, asked him if he could design
a chapel for the base.  The POW accepted the assignment
and even supervised construction.

Today a unique chapel stands at the Letterkenny Army
Depot in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania.  The formerly
despondent prisoner found renewed hope by using his
God-given talents to bless others.

In 1 Kings 19, we read that Elijah was despondent.  He
was physically and emotionally drained after fleeing
from the evil Queen Jezebel.  In despair, he asked God
to take his life.  Instead, the angel of the Lord
ministered to his physical needs.  Some days later, the
Lord spoke to Elijah and told him that his work was not
over.

When you are in despair, the first step on the pathway
to new hope is to take care of your physical needs.
Then listen to God's voice through the Scriptures.  The
Lord will show you your spiritual condition and tell
you what He would have you do to bless others.

    -- Dennis J. DeHaan

 When plunged in darkness and despair,
 Our only hope is in the Lord;
 Not once does He withhold His care,
 Or ever fail to keep His Word.

    -- DJD

 THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

   God gives hope to us as we give
            help to others.

 THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:  John 3-6

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Our Daily Bread, Copyright 1994, used by permission of
Radio Bible Class, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49555, USA.
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