Now Elijah the Tishbite, from Tishbe in Gilead, said to Ahab, “As the Lord, the God of Israel, lives, whom I serve, there will be neither dew nor rain in the next few years except at my word.” Then the word of the Lord came to Elijah: “Leave here, turn eastward and hide in the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan. You will drink from the brook, and I have directed the ravens to supply you with food there.” So he did what the Lord had told him. He went to the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan, and stayed there. The ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning and bread and meat in the evening, and he drank from the brook. 2 Kings 17:1-6
“The closing words of Elijah’s prophecy, except at my word, left some hope that if the king and the people repented, the situation might change. But they did not, and Elijah had to leave and settle east of the Jordan River. By doing this he escaped death with the other prophets and had a supply of water from the Brook Kerith, which continued to flow for some time despite drought. The Lord took charge of meeting his need for food.”
Musa Gotom (Nigeria) in “1 Kings” in Africa Bible Commentary, Tokunboh Adeyemo, General Editor (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2006) 437.
I have resonated with Elijah and Elisha the prophet this week.
I give thanks for God’s provision and protection. Where the Lord guides, the Lord provides. He takes charge of meeting our needs. We can be in dry and barren places and find contentment.
The key is to do what the Lord tells us to do. That’s what Elijah did.
How are you doing so far this Lent? Are you doing what the Lord has told you to do? I feel like I am in my sweet spot of service to Him. I have been very uncomfortable at times but feel His care in profound ways.
For example, few things in Benin went on time or according to schedule and yet God showed up in power. We had to make many adjustments to our schedules due to unforeseen circumstances.
Reply if you want a copy of the trip report. Samson and I head to Togo today. It seems like spiritual forces were hindering my going there, as did not get my visa until yesterday.
That’s how God works. As I ponder and wait and trust in Him, I find He is more than good. He’s unimaginably faithful, and just like He looked after the prophets, He cares for me.
Go wherever the Lord leads you. He will work for your good and His glory. And enjoy whatever food He supplies. Every meal seems to be a surprise for me when I travel.
And I must conclude by wishing my son. Sammy, a happy birthday.
And I thought to myself, if God leads you to a brook, bring your fly rod. That’s what Sammy would do. He’d catch fish. I pray your adventure following the Lord’s leading includes days by a river. Few things are better.