OUR DAILY BREAD             Tuesday, April 4, 1995
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READ:   1 Kings 17:1-16

                  GOD'S WAYS

       "How unsearchable are His judgments
         and His ways past finding out."

                           - Romans 11:33

After Elijah had experienced some especially trying
times, the Lord told him to flee to Zarephath where
he could find food and shelter.  Imagine Elijah's
surprise when he discovered that the widow who was
to provide for him was extremely poor!  In fact,
she expected that she and her son would soon die of
starvation.

How often God delights to astonish us by the wonder
of His ways!  Our limited understanding of Him can
be likened to a fly crawling on one of the great
pillars of St. Paul's Cathedral in London.  What
does that tiny insect know about the architect's
magnificent design?  It sees only the little space
of stone on which it moves.  The beautiful carvings
and ornamental work seem like towering mountains and
deep valleys that only impede progress and obscure
the view.

We as Christians often see only our immediate circum-
stances and perceive but a glimmer of God's marvelous
purpose.  The obstacles that block our vision and
get in the way of our plans are actually part of the
beautiful designs of divine grace.

Our heavenly Father knows exactly what He is doing.
Although His ways are unsearchable, He assures us that
all will work out for our good if we trust Him.

                                --  Henry G. Bosch

        God's ways and judgments baffle those
           Who do not see His perfect plan;
        But those who trust His saving grace,
           With wonder all His actions scan!

                                -- HGB
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             THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
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    God may conceal the purpose of His ways,
     But His ways are not without purpose.
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THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 1 Kings 17-19

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