“Then the Lord said to Elijah, “Go to the east and hide by Kerith Brook, near where it enters the Jordan River. Drink from the brook and eat what the ravens bring you, for I have commanded them to bring you food.” So Elijah did as the Lord told him and camped beside Kerith Brook, east of the Jordan. The ravens brought him bread and meat each morning and evening, and he drank from the brook. But after a while the brook dried up, for there was no rainfall anywhere in the land.” 1 Kings 17:2-7 NLT
You may not be all that impressed with what I’m about to write, but I forget this critical truth ALL THE TIME.
God knows what he’s doing.
How he does it maybe VERY out of the ordinary and we may not be comfortable with the timing, but God is faithful and in control.
This miracle that takes place in Elijah’s life takes place after declaring drought to King Ahab. Kings don’t like bad news and Ahab isn’t fond of Elijah anyways.
God emphatically tells Elijah – HIDE! Then like a heavenly hide and seek, God gives Elijah a GPS (God positioned soul) – (too much huh?). God tells Elijah, I’ve lined up a special door-dash deliveries by RAVENS (smart crows) so you can camp out with meat, bread and water. Whoa, so cool, creepy and specific. But I notice that Elijah is not protected from the drought, then following famine that was sure to follow, “the brook dried up.” He GETS to experience his own prophetic prediction!
And this is where it gets even more wild. God has already planned out Elijah’s next scavenger stop. I would think it was some swanky spot complete with a rooftop view, a spa and definitely its own well-water. Right? Isn’t this where you’d put up one your people, your spokesperson? Nope, not God. He’s got a far different idea of how things work.
He sends Elijah to a WIDOW! A widow? Look, this story just gets worse and weirder, you’re going to have to read it for yourself. But here’s my thoughts, I am sure that Ravens are super resourceful, but what does a widow have that Ravens don’t have? FAITH. Widows have nothing…. nothing but faith. Elijah BOLDLY asks for her and her son’s last meal! “Go ahead,” he says, “don’t be afraid,” he says. Bake up that last loaf and give some to ME first… he says! Whoa.
I repeat, God knows what he’s doing. Admit it, you don’t know what’s going on, and I don’t either. God is so creatively funny about how he goes about getting things done!
PRAYER:
Dad,
I’ve seen some pretty wild answers to prayer or provisions you have brought without me even asking. Nothing as extravagant as Ravens and widows, but delightful and well timed none the less. You are brilliant at these scenarios of faith, obedience and provision! I love the creativity and even the intense drama behind it all. Of course I don’t LIKE the drama when it’s in my own life, but I do enjoy seeing it played out in others’ lives 😀. You are a good God!