God Uses Ravens

You will drink from the brook and I have ordered the ravens to feed you there. 1 Kings 17: 4.

Here is what has taken place. The Lord has given His servant Elijah a word to give to the King Ahab. It is not a pleasant Word of Prophecy, for Elijah has said that there will be a drought in the land in the next few years. This severe drought will continue until the Lord, through the voice of Elijah, says that it is to cease.

During this time of drought, the Lord has told Elijah to leave and go to the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan and stay there. There, in that Ravine, the brook will be his supply of water and the ravens will be his supplier of food. The ravens will ensure that God’s servant is fed day and night. In other words, Elijah will never be in want in this place.

This well-known story will take on a different significance for you as your focus will be fixed on the ravens. There are four things to be noted here. How do you see ravens? It is in their very nature that these birds, known as scavengers, make these statements. What you are to keep before you is that the birds who bring the food also bring with them an attitude of survival that will be helpful to this servant of God, in his present situation.

Ravens are radical birds. They are very daring birds that are not afraid or ashamed to be seen anywhere. These birds, by their very presence are reminding you that no servant of God is to be afraid or ashamed of any place or position in which God has required him or her to be.

Ravens are resourceful birds. They have no kind of false pride, as it were, and will not let any food pass by. They are survivors, birds that will find food, if any was about. This character of the ravens is one to be emulated, reminding us that we too must be resourceful and not give up in the face of hardships.

Ravens are resilient birds. They are hardy and tough, not easily put off by situations that demand resolve, tenacity and courage. Remember the difference between the raven and the dove that Noah sent out. The raven, which was sent off first after the rain had stopped, never returned to the ark to stay. The raven flew back and forth, never giving up until it found rest. They are teaching us that we too are to be resilient in the face of hardships, knowing that God gives us the strength to face that which He says we must face.

Ravens are responsive birds. 1 Kings 17: 6 says. The ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning and bread and meat in the evening, and he drank from the brook. What we need to keep firmly engrained is that these birds are obedient and respond perfectly and obediently to the Lord’s command. These birds, not very welcomed, birds seen as dirty with their vulture-like nature and thieving style, are able to be obedient to God. They never failed during the rough drought period, to serve the Lord’s servant, morning and night. These creatures, whom no sane thinking mind will seek to use in any good work, are those whom God used, showing His Lordship and power over such beings.

What does this say to us? We are shown a God who is not just able to control that which He has created, but that we who have innate tendencies to disobey, can also obey perfectly and faithfully.

Today, from ravens, we have seen God and His power and authority over His created beings. Thank God that He is God! Do not ever give up on yourself, or any raven-type brother or sister, who causes you distress and stress.