1 Kings 17:4-7 (RSV) — 4 You shall drink from the brook, and I have commanded
the ravens to feed you there.” 5 So he went and did according
to the word of the Lord; he went and dwelt by the brook Cherith that is east of
the Jordan. 6 And the ravens brought him bread and meat in the
morning, and bread and meat in the evening; and he drank from the brook. 7 And after a while the brook dried up, because there was no rain in the
land.
NOTE: In Streams of
the Desert, the Cowman writes,
"THE education of our faith is incomplete if we
have not learned that there is a providence of loss, a ministry of failing and
of fading things, a gift of emptiness. The material insecurities of life make
for its spiritual establishment. The dwindling stream by which Elijah sat and
mused is a true picture of the life of each of us. “It came to pass … that the
brook dried up”—that is the history of our yesterday, and a prophecy of our
morrows." (1925)
I do not like it
when people spiritualize scripture. Cowman's insight is a bit of a stretch from
this passage, but he is right for two reasons. One, it is true that God tells
him to go to a place that later runs dry. God did want him to experience loss and
a certain helplessness so that Elijah might trust in God. Additionally, the
principle is taught in many other passages of scripture. The best example is
Paul's statement in Philippians where he says "I know how to
be abased, and I know how to abound; in any and all circumstances I have
learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and want." There
is a secret, but it is not just about "want," it is also about
"abundance." There is a great danger in both states, but the dangers
are much different. Both can eat at your souls.
PRAYER: Father, you
have taken me through extreme times of want and times of plenty. I don't want
to miss the lessons you have for me. Give me wisdom to apply your truths to
whatever situation I find myself.
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