August 7 Faith Journey

1 Kings 17:3 "Depart from here and turn eastward and hide yourself by the brook Cherith, which is east of the Jordan. 4 You shall drink from the brook, and I have commanded the ravens to feed you there."

THE Lord God - the Almighty One of Absolute Control - assigned Elijah to tell King Ahab that a three-year drought was about to begin in Israel. No moisture, neither dew nor rain, would come upon the land for three years.

    Elijah faithfully delivered God's word to the evil Ahab. Then what happened? The Lord God, the Almighty One of Absolute Control, sent Elijah into a wilderness, away from the king. Why would God, who controlled all things, send Elijah into a wilderness to be fed by ravens? Wouldn't Elijah have a nice room at the local inn - with free room service and a daily massage - because he obeyed the Lord? Or why wouldn't God put his absolute power over Ahab to turn his heart to repentance?

    We've seen in Ezekiel, and we see throughout Scripture, that God gives leeway, some free will, to those who disobey him. We see this in our own lives, too. He allows us to sin and to error. What's more, the Bible - and our lives - tell us that obeying God doesn't mean we will live on a spiritual easy street. After all, the sinners killed Jesus for telling them the truth.

    In this "free will" and "suffering servant" context, it seems God sent Elijah into the "care of the crows" for two reasons. One was to protect Elijah from Ahab's wrath. As God let Ahab live in his sin, Ahab does not see Elijah's words as God's Word. Instead the sin-structured king would look upon Elijah as perhaps some magician. It was common for demon-inspired men and women to put curses upon people and over nature. Sorcery was a great sin among God's people and one reason for God's judgment on them. As Ahab followed such pagan ways, his mindset blamed Elijah as the cause of drought. Ahab was unbelieving that God would judge him. Delivering God's message, Elijah's life is at risk. Elijah needs protection.  

    The second reason God sent Elijah there is to teach Elijah a remarkable faith lesson. How has your faith grown? It has happened when you've experienced God coming to you in life-sustaining, life-changing ways. Perhaps he showed up with an unexpected check in the mail to cover overdue bills. Maybe he was the tender blessing a friend offered to you yesterday. Perhaps he delivered to you the child you've been praying for. We experience God when we step out in faith to seek him in prayer and to follow him to the spiritual and physical places he points us to go.  

    He told Elijah, "hide yourself by the brook Cherith" so Elijah could experience God's benevolent care. God is about to ask Elijah to do something very remarkable. Elijah needs the faith to do it. This wilderness experience will take him further into his faith journey with God.

    What do people do when you give them a word from the Lord? Or do you? Perhaps you're afraid to tell them the message God wants you to deliver to them. You don't trust God to care for you or the other person. Perhaps you're sure they will blame you for offering God's correction. But be assured "that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." (Philippians 1:6)

    Complete the tasks God gives to you. When you do, you will experience his Absolute Control more personally in your life. Your faith will grow stronger. Your trust will grow deeper. This is a faith journey. Celebrate the walk.

Prayer: Lord God, give to me the faith to do what you have given to me to do. In Jesus' name, amen.