RIVER OR RAVENS? Speaker: Dr. D.G.S. Dhinakaran Gist: Place your trust in the Almighty God. God is going to remove all weariness and grant you renewed strength. God has also shown a way as to how this could be done. Whenever you are weary, particularly look at those who have traversed through the same path.
“My brethren, take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord, as an example of suffering and patience” (James 5:12). Prophets are a group of people who endure suffering and are unruffled when situations arise like storms. They show impeccable patience in waiting to see the fulfillment of those things that they have asked for in prayers and are therefore shown as exemplary examples for receiving renewed strength. This is the reason as to why we are called to follow the example as set by them.
One among this group of prophets who really waited with all patience and finally came out triumphant is Elijah. “Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months” (James 5:17). Elijah was one who had a similar nature as that of any man on earth. Just like you and me, he had cares, concerns, and sufferings common to all alike in this world. The only difference is that he walked with God.
"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations." (Jeremiah 1:5) God selects a prophet even while he is in his mother’s womb and sanctifies him.
‘for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit’ ( 2 Peter 1:21). At a particular time, the Holy Spirit of God descended upon this man and he foretold the future happenings through God’s power.
This prophet named Elijah, filled with God’s power, told the king, “You are not walking in the ways of the Lord. Not only you but you are also leading the people in the wicked ways and therefore there shall not be a drop of dew or rain until I say it would fall.” (1 Kings 17:1) Imagine the wrath of that king. God told Elijah, “You have proclaimed what I commanded through you to the king. Now in order to protect yourself from the wrath of the king flee to the banks of the river called Cherith and hide there. Drink the water found there and I will send you food through ravens.” According to the word of God he arose, went and patiently waited by the bank of river Cherith. He would wait thinking, “When will I get food” and drink water from the river. On the one side, the Lord taught him as to how he should wait patiently to receive the needs of his life. While on the other side, God also taught him other lessons.
‘The just shall life by faith’ (Habakkuk 2:4; Hebrews 10:38) The Lord has commanded and therefore I will get food and water and that is the faith which Elijah had.
For whom was Elijah waiting there? He waited upon the Almighty God there (Psalms 27:14)
Elijah trusted neither on the river nor the ravens but on the Almighty God who supplied his daily needs through them (Psalms 39:7)
On the one hand Elijah is waiting patiently for his food while on the other hand God is waiting to reach out and meet his needs. Our loving Lord who is full of love and compassion would say, “My child would be waiting for Me. I have to send the breakfast.” Quite often we forget that we have a very loving and compassionate heavenly Father who is ever waiting to help us and grumble, “God is not bothered about me. I think He does not remember my plight.” (Isaiah 30:18) Never trust the river nor the ravens for your food but place your trust in the Almighty God who created you and surely He will renew your strength.
Prayer
Almighty God,
My hope is only in You Lord. Though my father and mother forsake me I know that You will take care of me. My Creator, renew the strength within my physical frame for this day that I may do every task with love and glorify your name.
In Jesus’ name I pray.
Amen |