1 Kings 18:1

New International Version (NIV)

 After a long time, in the third year, the word of the Lord came to Elijah: “Go and present yourself to Ahab, and I will send rain on the land.”

For meditation

1. How long has the drought in your life been (1Kings 18:1)? How terrible and devastating has it been to your home, business, or relationships?
2. In spite of the severity, harshness, and longevity of it, hasn’t God been good to you? Has He not continued to provide for you? At least, you’re alive, aren’t you?
3. Maybe what you have is not what you expected or in the amounts you appreciate, but can you deny that God has sustained you nonetheless? Don’t you think His provision has been consistent with His divine knowledge of what would sustain you till the good times roll in? So, why don’t you open your heart to know the purpose of your struggles?
4. Can you look to the wilderness experience of the Israelites and God’s provision of manna until Canaan (Exodus 16:1-30)? Didn’t God provide just what they needed, as Paul tells us in 2 Cor. 8:15? And was it not to teach them that He is the LORD their God (Deut. 29:4-6)?
5. So, why are you losing your spiritual fervor in these times of adversity? Why are your hands hanging limp? Can you continue to trust our gracious, compassionate, and caring God who is able to cause the rains to pour at high noon and in the scorching sun that has dried everything around you? Can you wait patiently for the best chess player ever to make His next move in your life (Is. 40:31)?

I pray you will hear God during these tough times, even though He may be sending you to the most unlikely places, as He sent Elijah to the brook in the Kerith Ravine (1 Kings 17:3), and the widow of Zeraphath in Sidon (9). For, the rains are coming, but for now, it’s His way of keeping you.

So: May your faith and obedience encourage someone along the way (1 Kings 18:2-15); and may God glorify Himself on your Mt. Carmel (16-40). May He send His refreshing rains on your sun-scorched life and give you power to outrun your enemies (45-46) and into your next assignment (19:1-21)!

Shalom