Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see.
Hebrews 11:1(NLT)
The Old Testament records a story about Elijah who suffered through a drought in the land of Israel. As hard as it was, God did not forget his prophet but sent him to the Kerith Brook where He fed him by way of ravens and instructed him to drink from the brook. I would imagine that Elijah thought it was a pretty easy life, considering what was going on around him, with fresh food brought morning and evening and water flowing right next to his camp.
Yet, as the drought continued, the water began to evaporate and eventually slowed to a trickle. It happened after a while that the brook dried up, because there was no rain in the land. 1 Kings 17:7 (NASB) If I was that camper, I would have already explored Plan B – just in case. But faith occurs when you can’t see two steps in front of you and God seems to have given you impossible instructions.
Water is essential for life, especially in the arid land of Israel…but Elijah didn’t panic, he waited. During stressful times, I often find myself wanting to take control and make my own way of escape. I may even have a little faith if there is a small inkling of a way out. Yet, God’s plan is not accomplished through my flimsy schemes or tiny faith. His way is always better…I just have to wait.
The story continues and the Lord sent Elijah to Zaraphat to live with a widow. The woman said to Elijah, “I see it all now—you are a holy man. When you speak, God speaks—a true word!” 1 Kings 17:24 (The Message) She saw that Elijah lived by his faith and witnessed miracles only accomplished by the one true God.
Originally posted 7/11/07
Postscript: We are now in a waiting time…it’s called a quarantine and we may feel like our brook has dried up. Life as we knew it has disappeared as we delete all the entries on our calendar. But the same God who remembered Elijah and provided for his needs is doing the same for us.The isolation is hard for me and I have to choose faith, once again. We know this pandemic will end at some point. What will we have learned during this time out? Creative ways to do something new? I hope so.
The brook may dry up, but be assured that God is faithful. Wait!