1 Kings 17:24
"And the woman said to Elijah, Now by this I know that thou art a man of God, and that the word of the LORD in thy mouth is truth."
The story from the verse above is truly a heartwarming story. Elijah was sent to a widow woman during a time of famine so that he could be fed. This widow woman had one son who was most likely her whole life. One day this boy got sick, and eventually the sickness took his life. The widow lady took her son and laid him in a bed in the loft, and afterwards went to Elijah to give her complaint to him. The prophet came to where the son was lain and God used him to raise the child from the dead.
What is interesting is what the widow lady said to Elijah after her son was risen from the dead. She said, "Now by this I know that thou art a man of God, and that the word of the LORD in thy mouth is truth." Hold on, did she forget how the LORD took care of her daily with a handful of meal and a little cruse of oil by the word of Elijah. She should have known that Elijah was a man of God by the daily provision that God provided for her through his command. Yet, she quickly forgot those miracles, and it took a present day miracle for her to remember that Elijah was a man of God.
Most Christians are just like this widow woman. It's not what someone did yesterday that determines God's hand upon them, but what have they done today that reminds people of God's hand upon them. There are several lessons everyone can learn from this story that will help us to be better Christians and leaders.
First, don't forget yesterday's miracles. Throughout the Scriptures God commands us to remember. God knew the forgetfulness of people, and that is why we are commanded to remember the miracles. You would be wise to daily take time to remember what the LORD has done for you in the past. Don't be guilty of being the type of Christian who says, "What have you done for me lately?"
Second, don't take for granted the miracles of the past because God is not required to give more miracles today. If you are quick to forget what God has done for you in the past and don't daily thank Him for them, you may find that He may stop sending the miracles today.
Third, God has the power to take care of today's problems like He did with yesterday's problems. Don't despair over your problems today. God still has the power to supply your need for the problems you face today just like He had the power to supply your needs in the past.
Fourth, leaders should always ask God daily to show His power through them. Whether or not you like it, those who follow you will quickly forget what God did through you yesterday. Yesterday's manna is not good for today's hunger. Your followers need to see that you can get God to supply today's need for them to continually believe that He still works through you. Don't become complacent with yesterday's miracles as a leader. Daily ask God to do something through you. Not so much for those who follow you but for you.
Friend, God is certainly a present day God. As a Christian, don't ever forget that our God can take care of you today like He did yesterday. As a leader, God can still work through you today like He did yesterday if you are willing to pay the price for God to work through you.