In 1 Kings Chapter 17, verses 1-7, we read of how there was a great drought in the land which was to last a few years. Elijah, the prophet, was told to travel east of the Jordan, where he was to drink from the ravine and be fed by ravens. Elijah did what God told him, despite the unusual request.

Now Elijah was a great man of God and yet he was to drink out of the lake and have to rely on the birds for scraps of food. How undignified; how humiliating; and yet Elijah was obedient to God.

Let us be clear that there is no room for pride in God’s people. Pride caused the downfall of Satan and pride will be the cause of our downfall. I’ve seen many people’s lives destroyed by pride, people fall out and leave church over pride. It is so important that we guard our hearts and our relationships with one another. Don’t give the devil a toe-hold that will become a foot-hold and ultimately a stronghold in your life.

Elijah was to be fed by birds. And it wasn’t even nice birds? Why didn’t God choose doves? Doves are lovely, white, very scriptural, peaceful birds, the sort that people release at weddings. Instead, God choose large, dirty, black, ugly, oversized crows! Ravens are predators, and are referred to as unclean birds, detestable, in the bible. They are predators, more likely to peck your eyes out and steal your food rather than feed you. Ravens are birds of “ill omen”, the sort of birds you see in films hanging around graveyards or around people that are just about to die. Ravens are never good news!

So, what can we take from this passage? Let me just make 4 points:

1. No matter how unclean your life has been, God wants to turn your life around and to use you for good. He has not given up on you!
2. God can use, and does use, the things of this world, the resources of the world, evil though it is; to bless and provide for his people. Learn to appreciate the blessings of God, however he chooses to provide for us.
3. God works in mysterious ways, he doesn’t always do what we expect. We are not to question him but simply to be thankful and obedient to him.
4. In this passage, we read that “the brook dried up.” The powers of nature are limited, not so the power of the Almighty God. God is our provider and he has numerous ways that he will provide for us. Like Elijah, all we need to do is to trust and obey him.

Hope you have a great week!

Douglas