The Lord Provides

Elijah comes into the picture as a man of God who brought God's message to Ahab, King of Israel. Ahab was a horrible king, and his worship of the idols of Baal was an affront to God. God sends Elijah to tell Ahab the following: 1 Kings 17: Now Elijah, who was from Tishbe in Gilead, told King Ahab, “As surely as the Lord, the God of Israel, lives—the God I serve—there will be no dew or rain during the next few years until I give the word!” Just imagine, no rain for three years, and the drought conditions that brought on the people. Times were tough, and Elijah was the messenger who told them of the impending drought as God had told him. Not a popular guy.

God protects Elijah and provides for him by giving Him this message. 1 Kings 17: 2 Then the Lord said to Elijah, 3 “Go to the east and hide by Kerith Brook, near where it enters the Jordan River. 4 Drink from the brook and eat what the ravens bring you, for I have commanded them to bring you food.” God gave the message, but kept the messenger alive and provided for him by telling him what to do next, and Elijah followed God's instructions, and he was provided for at every step. Here is what happened next. 1 Kings 17: 5 So Elijah did as the Lord told him and camped beside Kerith Brook, east of the Jordan. 6 The ravens brought him bread and meat each morning and evening, and he drank from the brook. 7 But after a while the brook dried up, for there was no rainfall anywhere in the land.

You may notice that the water was scarce, even though Elijah was promised by God to be taken care of, and God came through as only God can do. God's instructions continue in the next verses 1 Kings 17: 10 So he went to Zarephath. As he arrived at the gates of the village, he saw a widow gathering sticks, and he asked her, “Would you please bring me a little water in a cup?” 11 As she was going to get it, he called to her, “Bring me a bite of bread, too.”

What can we learn from this example of God telling Elijah exactly what to do? Spend time with God in prayer and in that prayer make your requests, but ask God to show you what steps to take in that day, and He will provide. Spend time with God in His Word and let the Word speak to your heart, and God will direct your paths and take care of your needs. We have a prophetic message in light of what God commissioned each of us to say and do, and it is important to know that message and proclaim it boldly to a lost and dying world. Yes, people who are not born again will go to hell when they die or when Jesus comes again, so the message is vital to their opportunity to receive eternal life in heaven. We tell the lost that if they do not receive Jesus, hell is their destination, but if they receive Jesus and are born again, the Lord will save them, protect them, and provide for them.

I wonder why people who have the doors of heaven opened to them and the distinct reward of talking and listening to God, will not do either, and act like they don't need God's instructions. We should not just call ourselves people of the Word, but study the Word, live by the Word, and proclaim the Word!! This is who we are and who we live for every day of our lives. We don't read the Bible for historical facts; we read the Bible for life. We are no different than Elijah, and look what God did to protect and provide for him as His messenger, even though the message was negative. James says this about Elijah in James 5: 17 Elijah was as human as we are, and yet when he prayed earnestly that no rain would fall, none fell for three and a half years! 18 Then, when he prayed again, the sky sent down rain and the earth began to yield its crops.

We humans who are born again definitely have God's ear, and remember God calls us His children, and He promises to care for us, just like Elijah. The Lord provides for every need we have, and every prayer is answered in one way or another. The main point is "God is listening and responding." THE LORD PROVIDES.

Today's Message,

David Warren