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 – 1 Kings 17:3-4

For Encouragement

This Papa that we serve! His ways are not just unfathomable, they are awe-inspiring. The things He does and how He does them sometimes are beyond our human comprehension. Some things He says may sound ridiculous, but they are the only absolutes in life. The word of God is not just creative, healing, fulfilling, and satisfying, it is awe-inspiring. It is the best food for the soul and spirit. The sooner we readily accept and yield to His word, the better it is for us. 

Consider what God commanded Elijah to do after he declared the drought in Israel for the next few years (1 Kings 17:1). It was a declaration of war against the idolatrous nation of Israel. Of course, that drew a robust response from King Ahab and his wicked wife, Jezebel. So, God sent him to hide in the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan River (17:3).

Can you believe that? Is that the best that God Almighty could do to save his prophet from mere humans—to run and hide?

But that is one of the seemingly ridiculous ways of God by which He reveals His glory in our lives. And if you thought that was ridiculous, consider the following sentence in the verse. You will drink from the brook, and I have directed the ravens to supply you with food there (4).

What! Birds to feed a human being! Preposterous, is it not? It was an unexpected and surprising message. God was on His throne, and He invited Elijah to enter His supernatural realm to behold His glory.

What is the posture of faith at such times? Where can one find the knowledge of God for faith to latch on to? Where is the place for patience and calmness when the child of God is exploding with anger, disappointment, and fear in the face of a threatening situation? But that is the lifeline Jesus has thrown to the believer as Paul writes: We live by faith, not by sight (2 Cor. 5:7). And without faith, it is impossible to please God (Heb. 11:6).

As you walk through the Hall of Faith, you realize it’s impossible to receive from God or endure hardships and disappointments without knowing and holding on to Him through Christ Jesus, and by the power of the Holy Spirit.

The good news is that we can learn from Elijah’s faith in this story. We can pray to understand what elevated his faith to such a ridiculous level of trust and obedience (1 Kings 17:5-6; James 5:17-18). Amazingly, he got it right. We encourage ourselves with what we learn and trust God for His faithfulness. He is full of surprises. However, His ridiculous ways are training grounds for our faith to blossom if we allow them.

So, train your ears to discern God’s voice that calls for absolute trust and obedience. Elevate your faith to the level of God’s extravagant grace, and experience Elijah’s blessings for his faith and zeal for God’s holiness.

Pray with Me

Father, these are times we need to hear your ridiculous sounding promises to guide us through the darkness that is engulfing this world. Help us by your Spirit to hear you speak and trust you, though we it may sound strange to us. In Christ Jesus our Lord, amen.