Are you experiencing a drought in your life?
Photo courtesy of Steven Xiong Photos
Yesterday, my daughters and I read 1 Kings 17. At the beginning of the chapter, Elijah announces that there will be a drought. What is a drought and what happens during a drought? I asked my girls. They came up with words like dry, thirsty, no rain, and parched. We talked about what it meant to have no rain and who that would impact. No rain would mean that there’d be no water for the plants. Plants feed the animals and humans, so if the plants died, so would the animals. And if the animals died, then there’d be no food for the people. Eventually, the people would die. The outcome would be devastating. Why did God do that? My daughter asked. We will come back to this question, but let us move on.
Further in the chapter, God tells Elijah to go to Zarephath, where a widow will feed him (1 Kings 17:8-9). Elijah is obedient, and God is faithful. There is indeed a widow who gives Elijah water and bread. Take note: When God asks us to do something, He provides and protects us; He follows through on his promises. But look at what also happens; God now uses Elijah to bless the widow. She stated that she only had a handful of flower and a little bit of oil. She anticipated that being the last meal for her and her son. She was prepared to die (1 Kings 17:12). Elijah tells her not to be afraid and that her oil and flour would not run out until the drought has ended. The widow listens and makes bread for Elijah to eat. As Elijah said, her flour and oil did not run out. In fact, they had food every day the Bible states.
The last concept we will talk about is faith or one’s belief. The widow did not fully realize Elijah was a man of God until her son got ill and died. She then thought Elijah was there to harm her, but Elijah prayed for God to heal her son and God answered. We are much like this. We don’t fully believe in God until something impacts us on a personal level. We see how God provides and how He takes care of others, but it isn’t until we are confronted with a personal issue that our faith is truly tested. When the issue personally impacts us, it is only then that we see God work. Jesus says blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed (John 20:29). The widow’s son died, Elijah prayed for his healing, and God heard and restored the son’s life--then she truly believed. We must use our faith and not let it go weak. Let's believe before we see.
Everyone has seasons of drought in their life, physical drought or spiritual drought. We feel dry, parched, and thirsty yet God wants to use these circumstances to bring us back to Him. As I’ve stated in previous posts, we cannot live abundantly, peacefully, and joyfully without God in our lives. When there is drought, hardship, or suffering, it’s a sign that we need to turn to God. John 4:14 says but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life. To help you seek or draw near to God, I encourage you to listen to sermons, watch uplifting movies, listen to Christian music, read the Word of God, and fellowship with other believers. If we continue to live without God, we will continue to be dry, parched, and thirsty. (Remember when we talked about dead things in life?) Eventually our dreams, passions, relationships, and lives will feel dead and lifeless. Also, let us believe that God can work in our lives, just as He works in the life of others. The amazing blessings and miracles you see God work for others, God can do for you as well!
For some of you, you may in a different situation. You may not be parched or thirsty. Your relationship with God may be full and satisfying. But maybe God has asked you to do something, and you are afraid. (God is attempting to grow your faith.) Fear has you crippled, but you need to believe that if He has asked you to do something, He will be faithful and He will provide. (See blog on Fear). God continued to feed Elijah during the drought. God sent ravens to supply Elijah with food and when the brook had dried up, He sent Elijah to be fed by the widow (1 Kings 17:5-9). The Bible doesn’t show if Elijah questioned God, but we often question God. We might be thinking, Okay Lord, you’re sending me to Zarephath (or wherever). What if there isn’t a widow there to feed me? And so forth. So what fears do you have? Remember that God is grand and that He has always provided! He made a way when we couldn’t see a way. It’s fascinating that God not only ministers to Elijah, He also ministers to the widow. He does amazing things and His Greatness is vast and immeasurable. Maybe you need to seek God in your drought or God is working on growing your faith. Whatever it is, we need to trust in Him.
Let us Pray.
Heavenly Father,
I give you praise and thank you for your Word. I also thank you for the readers and message. I pray that you will open their eyes, mind, and heart to your message. I know that you are speaking to them. Whatever season they are in, please be with them. If they are in a drought, provide for them. Give them a taste of your living water. Quench their thirst. If they are afraid, comfort them and give them faith and courage. Remind them of all the previous times that you have provided and been there for them. Take our faith to another level Lord. You can do wonderful things, like minister to all of us at once because You know all of our needs. Let Your Will be done God. You are terrific, loving, kind, and thoughtful. I know you love and care for all of us. Protect these readers and work on their behalf. We need you so much Lord. Thank you. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Prayerfully,
Pam
