1 Kings 17: Encounter

Verses 3-4: "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."

◇ This is the famous story of Elijah and the ravens, and Elijah and the widow of Zarephath. God had sent Elijah to warn King Ahab. Elijah proclaimed to Ahab that there would be neither dew nor rain in the coming years.

What do you think Ahab did when he heard this? He probably tried to capture Elijah. God told Elijah to go and hide by the brook Kerith. He was to drink from the brook and eat the bread and meat that the ravens brought to him.

God often works in challenging ways. Instead of simply punishing King Ahab, He had Elijah predict a drought, made Elijah flee, tasked the ravens with delivering food (somewhat laboriously?), and allowed many people to suffer from the drought. God's ways can seem quite complicated.

Why does God work in such difficult ways? He could do things more easily. What is God trying to say through the efforts of Elijah and the widow of Zarephath? What is God trying to do through my own efforts?

♧ God, through the obedience of Elijah to Your commands and the widow of Zarephath to his words, You are showing Your presence among us. You could show it through miracles, but You choose to reveal it directly within these relationships. Father, help us to believe in Your living presence and obey! Holy Spirit, guide us in the way of truth!