God knows our position whether we are on the mountain or in the valley. He loves every sheep. Though we are unable to attend Sunday Service at a church building, we must keep the presence of God in our home and heart. Stay at the center of God’s will even if we have to suffer. Do not ever be tempted to take a shortcut.
Let us learn how Elijah survived the drought.
1 Kings 17:1
"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.”"
Elijah experienced drought, but he kept holding onto God’s Word. Those who hold onto the Word are more powerful than those who do not. As a king, Ahab had everything, but this story focused on Elijah as God was not involved in Ahab’s life. Compared to Ahab, Elijah was just a commoner. Yet we can see how God was always with him.
Those who have the Word also have God and peace, together with assurance of tomorrow. That’s why, keep holding onto God’s Word.
Follow God diligently, for His Word is new every day. Do not ask for the new Word when the old Word is not yet at work. When God tells us to be grateful, obey it first and do not underestimate it, because His word is continuous. Do not just pick the rhema that you like. Instead, do the Word that God speaks to us now, then surely miracle will follow later.
There are 3 steps to acquire the Word:
1. Receive it as is, do not pick and choose.
2. Speak the Word, not something meaningless.
3. Do it. Be the doer of the Word.
1 Kings 17:3-5
“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.” So he did what the?Lord?had told him. He went to the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan, and stayed there."
God said Kerith Ravine, not the more famous Jordan River. If Elijah did not listen to the Word, He could go to Jordan River which people would assume as the better river, but he would not receive the aid that was according to God’s plan there.
Everyone must find the center of God’s will. Our Kerith Ravine might be a grateful heart. For some, it might be patience and for others, they might need to pray more. Stay on the area where God instructs us to be, as we will find our provision there.
God sent raven to the Kerith Ravine, not to Elijah. Because Elijah was obedient, he received the blessing. If we stay in His Word, we will find His blessing there. God keeps those who keep His Word. Raven is an unclean animal for Jews, so it was unthinkable for Elijah. Our job is only to be aware of the center of God’s will and stay there. Keep living in the presence, the will, and the Word of God. Hang in there no matter what happens. Then be prepared for divine intervention and connection, even many signs and wonders in your life.
1 Kings 17:6
"The ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning?and bread and meat in the evening, and he drank from the brook."
There are 2 provisions from God:
- Supernatural Provision: Bread and meat from the raven.
Raven is a wild animal. How could a raven obtain the bread and meat while the whole land experienced drought and famine? This was unfathomable as it was God’s miraculous work. - Natural Provision: Water from the brook.
There are things that we must do, things that must be done with great wisdom.
Those two things must be found in our life. Be grateful for all the natural things we experience. Do not take those for granted. Before having meal, pray. Before working, pray. Before doing anything, train ourselves to be dependent to God, even if those are simple things in our daily life.
Excerpted from Ps. Philip Mantofa's Sermon, 29 April 2020, Youtube and Instagram Live
https://youtu.be/23IHh2J5MrM
