Joy in the valley

1 kings 17

Elijah had just prophesied to king Ahab that no rain would come to Israel unless he spoke it. From there Elijah was lead by God to a brook and was fed by ravens. When reading this story, it is tempting to view these introductory details as just the foothills by which the rest of the story will climax. In many ways this type of reading is true and very much beneficial. But if I am to stop and reflect upon those months where Elijah is alone and fed nourishment and companionship by only the ravens, there is much to understand about the life of God's man.

First, Elijah is public enemy number one. We know little of who knew about Elijah's prophecy other than Ahab. However, one can imagine that the longer the drought the faster the rumors of that prophecy would travel. I can imagine an Israel that knew of Elijah's prophecy, who marveled at it at first, who were amazed by the power of his word, and then slowly grew into distaste and anger as their animals starved and children died. Elijah was not a beloved figure in those days. It was quite possible that the ravens were the only company he could have kept.

Second, the man of God is absolutely dependent on God for safety and provision. It would be a spiritual thing to say that we are at all moments in this exact position. While this is true, at the moment I have expected income, money in the bank, and to the best of my knowledge i am not wanted by the police. Elijah was all of these things. He was all of these things and had a great deal of time to ponder them and let the slow workings of anxiety charge his bones.

I feel for Elijah during these terrible months. I feel his pain and also tremble a bit when I realize that I am God's man as well. In the history of all the people God did the most through and in, one of the reoccurring themes is that to be a powerful tool in His hands one must be first properly sharpened. These were the sharpening times for Elijah. Alone with only the ravens for companionship. And not just alone in proximity but also the most alone a man can be, alone with an entire country wishing his demise. These are the hard times where only the faith in God's promises and goodness keeps you from the madhouse. Elijah knew these truths well.

I would be a fool to ask God to be used in His magnificent plans and yet demand comfort and foreseeable provision. The man of God will and must be brought to the brink of his own demise to truly settle into the deeper experiences of God. Though these thoughts cause me to tremble and rightfully so, the joy in this reflection is that God sharpens His man not for the ash help but for the wood shop. Such great care does not go wasted but the King of Kings upon the tools He plans for great purposes. Remember the name Elijah and the images it unearths. Thoughts of ravens and loneliness do not flood my mind. No it is the pictures of Elijah calling down rain upon the patched earth. He runs past chariots. He goes toe to toe with the most immoral king Israel had ever known and his evil wife. The calls down fire from heaven and the subsequent slaughter of all the Baal prophets. His life ends not by a lonely brook but by a chariot ride to heaven. No, God's great care to sharpen His men is not to destroy them but to ready them for the moments that make legends. Take joy man of God for your chariot awaits!