When Streams Dry-up

Elijah came to the wicked king Ahab and declared a famine for three-and-a-half years (1 Ki 17:1). And there was a drought, and the land became very dry. But the Lord took care of His prophet Elijah. The Lord instructed Elijah to go to the brook Cherith and drink its water.   God commissioned ravens to bring him bread and meat every morning and evening. And Elijah continued to be there until the brook completely dried up. Why would the Lord allow such a thing to happen? And this question got me thinking. Elijah must have been quite comfortable by the brook until the brook dried up! Elijah must have been sad to watch the brook's flow slow down. When his water source diminished, his assurance of life was at stake! But the Lord sent him to the widow of Zarephath! She did not have an abundance of food. She had only a little flour and a little oil in the jar. I believe the whole pot was not filled with flour in one instant, miraculously. As they used it every day, it was replenished little by little. They had to depend on God for every meal!

Sometimes we become so comfortable in our lives that we tend to focus on the gifts, not the Giver. Do you have a job? A job is a gift. Do you have children who love and care? They are a gift. Do you have money in the bank? Money is a gift. Are you healthy? Health is a gift. But none of these things can take us anywhere. They are transient. If we focus on the gifts, we will be sadly and sorely disappointed. Our focus has to be always the Giver of gifts! Only He can provide for us and protect us when we encounter the storms of life! Why does God let the streams go dry? The Lord wants to teach us not to trust in His gifts but in Himself. That day, the Lord taught Elijah this valuable lesson!  

My friend, what is it that is troubling you today? Is it the drying brook of friendships? Or is it the drying brook of money or health? Do not focus on the gifts but on the Lord, the Giver of gifts! When streams dry up, we have nothing to worry for our Lord is the fountain of living waters. Let our trust be in our Jehovah Jireh God alone in this New Year!

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