Prepared to Stand: Scene Two
Being prepared to stand sounds militant, and it can be, but often when God calls us to take a stand we’re prepared, like any good soldier, in advance. After Elijah spoke for God to King Ahab he was immediately sent into a time hiddenness and testing. He traveled back to his homeland but he was alone: no family or friends.
In the lower story the Brook of Cherith (1 Kings 17:1-7) was his water supply during this 3½ year drought despite it’s name meaning ‘to break or cut you down’. It was a familiar place of water, but what about food? This is his first test of faith.
This time of hiddenness cost him relationships, job security, social standing, and even the bare necessities of life, nevertheless, he obeyed and God showed Himself to be his Provider: Jehovah Jireh. He supernaturally sent ravens to provide bread and meat twice a day during this time of seclusion as the process began of breaking down any pride that may remain in Elijah.
That may be where God has you right now (upper story): a time of hiddenness, pride breaking down, and testing of your faith. God is developing your trust in His provision for jobs, relationships, finances, or whatever you need: He is your Provider.
Elijah’s second test came when he traveled to Zarephath, a place of ‘testing or refining’. It was Jezebel’s homeland (Sidon) but God sent him into the enemy’s camp for several faith-building exercises. Jesus gave His commentary on this story:
But in truth, I tell you, there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah, when the heavens were shut up three years and six months, and a great famine came over all the land, and Elijah was sent to none of them but only to Zarephath, in the land of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow. Luke 4:25-26
God chose one widow-woman, a poor ‘outsider’ to show His power, but Jesus’ point is clear; He cares about the ‘one’. After the miracle of the self-replenishing jars of provision and the reviving of her son Elijah came became fortified, trusting God to provide, once again, with more than enough. This one unbeliever, who is a foreshadow of Gentiles coming to faith, finally recognized Elijah’s words as God’s words.
He was now prepared to take his stand again before the king and speak the powerful ‘word of the Lord’. That’s the point of miracles; they’re evidence of God’s sovereign power to build your faith and prepare you for what’s ahead.
As you reflect on your life today be encouraged that He cares about the one: you. He sees you, knows you, and is your Provider in any area of need. As you read your Bible, the Word of the Lord, and pray about your circumstances trust Him to prepare you to militantly stand, not collapse in unbelief, as Elijah’s experiences at Cherith and Zarephath demonstrate for us.
Comments are closed.