And the ravens brought him bread and flesh in the morning, and bread and flesh in the evening and he drank of the brook...

I Kings 17:6 "And the ravens brought him bread and flesh in the morning, and bread and flesh in the evening and he drank of the brook"

This is the story of the Old Testament prophet, Elijah, after he had just confronted the king..who worshiped Baal, and believed that Baal was a god who brought rains and bountiful harvest. Elijah told him that there would be no rain in the land for several years. Now the Lord had spoken to Elijah to hide himself by a brook called Cherith by the Jordan. There, God had commanded the ravens to bring Elijah food morning and evening..and he was able to drink water from the brook. God's provisions are so amazing to me. In a nation that was required by law to care for it's prophets, it is interesting that God used ravens (unclean birds) to care for Elijah...but God has help when and where we least expect it sometimes. He provides for us in ways that go beyond our narrow way of thinking.

Elijah did as God instructed and dwelt by the brook Cherith..and the ravens daily brought him food..bread and meat..every morning and every evening..and he drank from the brook. But it happened that eventually the brook dried up because there had been no rain in the land. When that happened, the Lord spoke to Elijah to arise, and to leave that place. God had something else in mind for Elijah..a new plan..and He sent him to a widow woman who cared for him.

I have often thought when I've heard this story..what if Elijah hadn't obeyed God? What if when God told him to move, he had stayed? Having sat next to a dry brook or two in my own life, I know how difficult change can be. Most change isn't even a bad thing. It's just that so often we become accustomed to our life the way it is, and to shake things up is just not in our plan. Some of the most difficult times in my life have been just moving from one house to another, or changing jobs, meeting new people, starting a new church..and yet those have also been some of the most rewarding things.

Whenever Ray and I go to the Boys Ranch, we always try to convey to these young men that God has a purpose and a plan for their lives. His plans are not always unfolded in such a way that you know every step that lies ahead...so at times, we truly don't know what the next step is..but His purpose for you beloved, is so much greater than you could have ever imagined. When Elijah was sitting by that brook, being fed by the ravens, I doubt if he could have imagined that God would use him to provide food for a widow woman and her son..or that he would have the faith to pray for that very son after he had died, and God would bring him back to life. Most of the time, because we cannot see what lies ahead, we would rather stay in our comfort zones.

My word of encouragement for you today is simply this..is there something that God is calling you to? Is there an area in your life that has simply "dried up" and God is speaking to your heart that it's time to move on? Is there something that used to hold so much joy for you..that now has simply become what is expected of you? Change can be a scary thing..but I promise that as you begin to pray and ask for God's leading, He will do exactly that. He may lead you into a new area of ministry. He may simply give you a better way of doing what you're currently doing. He may actually have a move in mind for you. Whatever it is, do not fear. Your God is with you..and He will not leave you or forsake you. Ask Him to begin to prepare your heart for whatever He has for you..and remember Psalm 16 "Thou wilt show me the path of life; in thy presence is fullness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures forevermore".