ODJ: faith in the famine
November 24, 2011
So Elijah did as the Lord told him (v.5).
READ: 1 Kings 17:2-16
During the time period of the Kings, Israel didn’t forsake God, but they mixed faith in Him with faith in gods of fertility and rain. Perhaps they were thinking: It can’t hurt to ask a few more gods for a bountiful harvest, right?
Amid that spiritually dark landscape, one person stood out because of his different approach. The prophet Elijah stood strong in faith even though, as James reminds us, he “was as human as we are” (5:17).
In 1 Kings 17, Elijah literally trusted God for his next meal, living out Matthew 6:31-33: “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need.”
Famine was in the air. How would Elijah find food? But Elijah didn’t need to worry. For the Lord said, “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” (1 Kings 17:3-4).
Kerith Brook was a seasonal stream that supplied water only during the winter rains. Surely, the water supply wouldn’t last through the drought of Elijah’s day. And ravens? They were considered to be unclean creatures! (Leviticus 11:13-15). Yet, despite that, we read: “Elijah did as the Lord told him” (1 Kings 17:5).
Elijah showed us that we can live by faith, for God is faithful. Every day the ravens brought him food; and every day the grain and oil was replenished—just as God had promised. Like Elijah, let’s follow God by faith today. —Poh Fang Chia
How are you resting in God’s promises, instead of seeking other sources for help? What promises of His do you cling to today?
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Thank you for your informative and thought provoking article. A full life is living the Lord’s way. Sharing is Caring!!!!