blessings from heaven
While I know many people who love the birds in their garden, I also know that it is rare for their affection to be reciprocated. In the Book of Kings, God foretold to the prophet Elijah that a famine would come upon Israel and commanded him to leave the city and go into the desert. While he was there, God promised him something special: “I have commanded the ravens to provide you with food there, and you may drink from the brook.” (1. Könige 17,4)While Elijah was at the brook Cherit, which flows from the east into the Jordan, Scripture tells us: “Morning and evening the ravens brought him bread and meat, and he quenched his thirst at the brook.” (1. Könige 17,6).
Stop and imagine this for a moment. During a famine, Elijah was led by God to go into the middle of the desert, where nothing grows and where he was far from any food sources—and he was told that his food would come from a raven. I'm sure even Elijah thought that was unlikely! But then, like clockwork, every morning and every evening a flock of ravens brought him his food. It doesn't surprise me that God—after all, He is our Father—brought about this provision. Scripture is full of stories of provision, just like this one of Elijah and the ravens. King David noted, "I have been young and I have grown old, and I have never seen the righteous forsaken, nor his children beg for bread." (Ps 37,25).
So I want to encourage you, dear reader, to reflect on how unexpectedly God has blessed you. Where is His grace in your life that is remarkable and extraordinary? Did you notice? Where have you found God's fullness when you least expected it? Who, like a raven, gave you the bread of heaven and the living water? You will be surprised when you find out!
by Joseph Tkach
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