Introduction

Good morning, beloved. As we gather together in this sacred space, I can't help but feel a sense of shared anticipation, a collective yearning for the comforting words of our Lord. Today, we set our hearts and minds on a passage that speaks to the very core of our faith, a passage that serves as a beacon of hope in our times of uncertainty and a reminder of God's unfailing provision and guidance.

We turn our attention to the first book of Kings, chapter 17, verses 1 through 4. Allow me to read it to you:

"Now Elijah the Tishbite, from Tishbe in Gilead, said to Ahab, 'As the Lord, the God of Israel, lives, whom I serve, there will be neither dew nor rain in the next few years except at my word.' Then the word of the Lord came to Elijah: 'Leave here, turn eastward and hide in the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan. You will drink from the brook, and I have directed the ravens to supply you with food there.'"

Prophetic Promise of Provision

In the scripture we read, we see Elijah, a prophet of God, boldly declaring a drought to King Ahab. This was no ordinary declaration. It was a prophetic utterance, a divine decree. It was a promise of what was to come, a foretelling of God's plan. And in this prophetic promise, we see an essential aspect of God's character - His provision.

God's provision is not just about meeting our physical needs. It's about His constant presence in our lives, guiding us, protecting us, and providing for us in every way. It's about His promise to never leave us nor forsake us, to be with us in every season of our lives.

In the midst of the drought, God directed Elijah to the Kerith Ravine. Here, God promised Elijah that he would drink from the brook and that ravens would bring him food. In the midst of scarcity, God provided for Elijah. This was not a random act of kindness. It was a fulfillment of God's prophetic promise.

This brings us to our first aspect of the prophetic promise of provision - God's provision is certain. When God makes a promise, He is faithful to fulfill it. He does not make promises lightly. He is not a man that He should lie. When He says He will provide, we can be certain that He will.

In the midst of the drought, God did not just provide for Elijah's physical needs. He also provided for his emotional and spiritual needs. He gave Elijah the assurance that He was with him, that He was guiding him, and that He was in control. This is the second aspect of the prophetic promise of provision - God's provision is comprehensive. It covers every area of our lives.

The third aspect of the prophetic promise of provision is that God's provision is continuous. In the scripture, we see that the ravens brought Elijah food every morning and every evening. God did not just provide for Elijah once and then leave him to fend for himself. He provided for him every day, continuously.

The fourth aspect of the prophetic promise of provision is that God's provision is often unexpected. God used ravens, unclean birds according to the Law, to provide for Elijah. This was an unlikely method of provision. Yet, God used it to sustain Elijah. This teaches us that God's ways are not our ways. He can use the most unlikely sources to provide for us.

Perseverance in God's Direction

In the midst of the drought, Elijah's obedience to God's direction is a beacon of hope ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO