A Path Among the Rocks

“Some time later the brook dried up because there had been no rain in the land.” 1 Kings 17:7

In our verse today we find Elijah, the man of God who, at the beginning of 1 Kings 17 gave a message to the evil King Ahab that no rain, not even dew, would fall on the land of Israel because of the sins committed by the King and the people.  This meant that a debilitating drought would soon be upon the land, and it did come.  For several years.

After Elijah delivered this devastating message, the Lord directed Elijah to leave and hide himself in the Kerith Ravine.  God said “you will drink from the brook for your water and God directed ravens to bring bread and meat both morning and evening” to Elijah (1 Kings 17:1-6).

Elijah obeyed God’s command to leave and to go out into this deserted place to “hide.”  The word used for hide in this sentence means to be “hidden carefully.”  God told him exactly where to go.  The location was strategic.  God was on purpose in sending Elijah out into this remote place.  A place where Elijah would be solely dependent on the provision of God to survive. 

Speaking of trips, my sister and I love to take what we call our “sister trips.”  Whether these are short trips close by or traveling a little further from home, I can speak for both of us when I tell you that our favorite part of our sister trips is the room service.  Staying in a really nice place, with excellent room service, is our idea of the best trip ever.  Camping in the desert with no provisions, and no coffee, would not be on our bucket list. 

I can’t say for sure what Elijah thought of his room service, but I’m sure he was probably a little puzzled at God’s methods.  God told him He would send ravens to bring him his food.  You see, ravens were considered to be “unclean” by God’s own rules (Leviticus 11:15). Isn’t it interesting, then, that God was using something that Eliah would have assumed was bad to actually help him.  I’m sure the ravens themselves had to wonder at their divine directive of delivering bread and meat to some guy in the desert. 

God provided what Elijah needed in the most unlikely way using the most unlikely method. 

And all the while, the water was slowly drying up in the creek.  And then one day, there was no more water.  We don’t know how long Elijah was there by the creek.  We don’t know what he was thinking every morning when he woke up to a stream that had a little less flow than the day before. 

But we do know Elijah waited.  He didn’t move from where God told him to remain even when all the water was gone.  We don’t know how long the time passed between our verse 7 that lets us know that the brook dried up and verse 8 which says “THEN the word of the Lord came to him:  Go at once to Zarephath…”

Perhaps God placed him in that deserted place by that dwindling stream for a reason.  Could it be that these circumstances that worsened every day for Elijah was actually for his good to build his faith?  Elijah didn’t know it yet, but he was going to need a lot of faith to hold up under the events that were still to come in his life. 

Could it be that the circumstances that we may find ourselves in today that are so completely opposite of what we want are the very circumstances that God wants to use to show His power and control most mightily in our lives? 

If we will ask the Lord, and allow Him, to open our eyes to the awesome and mighty power He is extending on our behalf when it seems just the opposite, we just might find ourselves developing the faith of Elijah. 

Faith that waits – even when circumstances become dire.

Faith that trusts – even when provision and sustaining supplies are not visible.

Faith that believes that God is in control – even when our circumstances tell us something different.  When the answers we need aren’t coming.

Perhaps today finds you beside a stream of hope that is slowly drying up.  If so, ask the Lord for wisdom.  He gives generously (James 1:5).    Ask the Lord for courage and patience (Colossians 1:11).  He will supply that too.

Perhaps the Lord is building in you a mighty faith that believes without the need to see (John 20:29; Hebrews 11:1; 2 Corinthians 5:7).

Perhaps the Lord is building in you a mighty faith that prays for the impossible (Matthew 17:20; Mark 11:23). 

Perhaps the Lord is preparing you for the mission or service of your life (Matthew 28:19-20).

Perhaps the Lord wants you to know that “though the mountains may depart and the hills be removed…My steadfast love shall not depart from you, and My covenant of peace shall not be removed, says the Lord, who has compassion on you.”  Isaiah 54:10. 

I don’t know what your circumstances are today, but I know the God who loves you with an everlasting love (Jeremiah 31:3). I know the God who is for you and not against you (Romans 8:31).  I know the God who holds you close and carries you in His arms (Isaiah 40:11).  You are so loved my friend, and God is so faithful.  Look for the ravens – I bet they’re already on their way. 

Thank you, Father, for this character study in faith.  Father, I pray for my brothers and sisters today, especially those that find themselves by that stream of impossible circumstances and their flow of hope is dwindling.  Father, I pray that You would send your ravens of love and mercy and provision today.  Help them to know that You can use anything You want to bring deliverance, healing, resolution, answers, hope, provision, and that they can trust You to do it even if it’s from the most unlikely places.  Let them know specifically Lord, that You are there with them, and that they would feel Your love cover them. 

Proactive:  John 20:29 – Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen Me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

Defensive: Psalm 86:2 – Guard my life, for I am faithful to You; save your servant who trusts in You.

Promise:  Isaiah 54:10 – “…For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed,” says the Lord, who has compassion on you.