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Voice of Stern Rebuke
63
care includes even the lowliest of the family of God: “Whoever gives
one of these little ones”—those who are as children in faith and
knowledge— “only a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple,
assuredly, I say to you, he shall by no means lose his reward.”
Matthew 10:40-42
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Three Years of Drought
Through the long years of famine, Elijah prayed earnestly and
waited patiently while the hand of the Lord lay heavily on the
stricken land. As he saw suffering and need on every side, his
heart filled with sorrow, and he longed to bring about a reformation
quickly. But God was working out His plan, and His servant was to
pray on and await the time for action.
The apostasy in Ahab’s day resulted from many years of evildo-
ing. Step by step Israel had been departing from the right way, and
at last the great majority had yielded themselves to the powers of
[47]
darkness.
About a century had passed since Israel, under King David, had
united in hymns of praise to the Most High in recognition that they
depended entirely on Him for daily mercies. Then they had sung:
O God of our salvation, ...
You make the outgoings of the morning and evening rejoice.
You visit the earth and water it,
You greatly enrich it;
The river of God is full of water;
You provide their grain,
For so You have prepared it. ...
You crown the year with Your goodness,
And Your paths drip with abundance.
Psalm 65:5, 8, 9, 11
He causes the grass to grow for the cattle,
And vegetation for the service of man,
That He may bring forth food from the earth,
And wine that makes glad the heart of man.
O Lord, how manifold are Your works!