Bible Text: 1 Kings 17:1-5 | Preacher: Pastor Lekan Madandola
It is normal for us as Christians to pray and wait on God before we make any decision in life. Even though we’d prayed, and were led of God, we are not exempt from challenges. Challenges vary in size and shape. Some are big challenges while some are little. Some could be mild and some could be life threatening.
In the midst of life’s challenge, your actions and inactions goes a long way to determine what becomes of your life at the end of that challenge. What do you do as you prepare for life beyond your present situation? Psalm 30:5, For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.
In 1 Kings 17:1-5, Elijah declared that there would not be rain for the period of three and half years. But God told him to go to the brook Cherith where his needs would be met. Elijah must have thought that for the next three and half years his needs would be met. It was God that told Prophet Elijah to go to the brook Cherith, but it dried up all the same.
Three purposes of the brook:
A place of refuge. 1 Kings 17:3; Deut 8:7
A place of water supply. 1 Kings 17:4; Ps 110:7
A place of provision. 1 Kings 17:4
Thoughts:
Living beyond the dry brook means there are new and fresh instructions. Isaiah 43:18-19.
Sometimes we need the brook to dry up so that we can get bigger and better miracles. Rom 8:28
A dried up brook means the ending of a season and the beginning of another. Gen 8:22
When the brook dries up, it is necessary to pause and find out the next instruction from God. Hab 2:1
A dried up brook means that God is up to something. Phil 2:13; Hab 3:17
It is not the end of life because there is life beyond the dry brook. Ps 48:14
God was the one who instructed and directed Elijah to go to the brook Cherith, but it was a passing phase. Elijah woke up one morning and realized that the brook had dried up. 1 Kings 17:7, “And it came to pass after a while that the brook dried up… “ Now, he was faced with a new challenge, but God gave him a fresh word.
What to do when the brook dries up:
Love and trust the Word of God. 1 Kings 17:2,8; Prov 3:5.
Live where God wants you to live. Ps 37:23
Live in willingness and obedience to His commands. Is 1:19
Conclusion:
You must love the Word of God for the Word to come to you the way it came to Elijah. Do not fight your battles based on your past experiences or other people’s experiences. You must be sure that you are located where God has ordained for you per time. Find out what the Lord is saying per time and get a fresh word from God for every new situation or challenge that may come your way.
Elijah was exactly where God wanted him to be. Whenever God gives a word, He has already made provision for it and it is attached to a particular location. If you are rightly located, the blessing, favour and supply of God would come to you. Psalm 37:23, “The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD and he delighteth in his way”.
Quote:
Always get a fresh word from God for every fresh challenge that comes your way.