Week of April 30
When God Hides You
Seemingly out of nowhere, Elijah appears in scripture. He had no family history, high office, or credentials to make him God’s choice to confront the terrifying and immoral leadership of his day. There is no evidence that Elijah was super spiritual. Like us, he was fearful and perplexed at times. Yet with great directness he tells the wicked King 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." Read I Kings 17:1-6 to see how God used this ordinary man to make extraordinary changes in his nation.
Elijah’s act was outrageously bold because King Ahab was under the influence of his pagan wife Jezebel. She had led King Ahab to kill hundreds of God’s people because they would not bow down to Baal. Delivering God’s message to Ahab must have seemed like a suicide mission.
At God’s direction, Elijah delivered the message and then hid in the Kerith Ravine. There he learned that when God pulls you away into hiding, He will supply the power, provision and protection you need to be prepared to be of even greater service to Him.
All of Elijah’s needs were met through God’s supernatural provision. Verse 6 states, “The ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning and bread and meat in the evening, and he drank from the brook.”
God’s children rarely seek to be hidden. However, it is in the hidden moments that men and women of faith are drawn closer to God and prepared for greater ministry. Joseph grew during his time of exile and imprisonment. Moses spent years in the desert before his greatest ministry. Esther spent a considerable amount of time being prepared to be presented to the king. Paul spent three silent years in northern Arabia before he launched his ministry.
Has God hidden you for a time? Are you feeling isolated, endangered, or unused for the kingdom? God has His purpose for you to be exactly where you are. Use this time to refresh yourself in the Word. Pray that you will grow closer to Him and more fit for service during this season of hiding.
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