Coffee With The Lord

Just wondering… Would you accept and eat food delivered by a raven?

Here’s the story in the Bible I read today that prompted that question…

“Now Elijah the Tishbite, of Tishbe in Gilead, said to Ahab, ‘As the Lord, the God of Israel, lives, before whom I stand, there shall be neither dew nor rain these years, except by my word.’  And the word of the Lord came to him: ‘Depart from here and turn eastward and hide yourself by the brook Cherith, which is east of the Jordan.  You shall drink from the brook, and I have commanded the ravens to feed you there.’  So he went and did according to the word of the Lord. He went and lived by the brook Cherith that is east of the Jordan.  And the ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning, and bread and meat in the evening, and he drank from the brook.” (1 Kings 17:1–6 ESV)

After all, where did the ravens get that food?  You know ravens… carrion, roadkill, dead rotting meat and other stuff!  In the natural anything they deliver should be avoided!  It could kill you or make you very sick!  Ick!!!

But it was God’s provision for the prophet and he obeyed, was thankful and ate it.  I know, when you obey the Lord and do His will (even when it’s difficult), you’re supposed to get the good stuff… prosperity, blessing, beef steak, caviar, a very nice home and a Lexus in the garage.  But not Elijah… brook water and stuff that a raven brought.  Elijah delivered God’s message!  He put his life at great risk!  Now Ahab was out to get him and Jezebel wanted his head.  God told him where to go hide and then sent the caterer to care for his meals… Ravens with meat in their beaks!  Offer thanks and eat it prophet!!

Whoever said serving the Lord and obeying him would be easy – a walk in the park?  Reminds me of a few verses of Scripture elsewhere… 

“Peter began to say to him, ‘See, we have left everything and followed you.’  Jesus said, ‘Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel, who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, WITH PERSECUTIONS, and in the age to come eternal life.” (Mark 10:28–30)

“Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted! (2 Timothy 3:12)

“It has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in Him but also suffer for His sake.” (Philippians 1:29)

Hey, the Bible and what it teaches is “reality therapy” for the “prosperity gospel!”  Hey the Lord blesses, protects, and provides… but there’s also that “with persecutions” part.  So enjoy water from the brook and thank God for the raven and the meat he brought!

Here’s a “Sip” from God’s word that will give you confidence in the Lord!

“You, Lord, laid the foundation of the earth in the beginning, and the heavens are the work of Your hands!  They will perish, but You remain; they will all wear out like a garment, like a robe You will roll them up, like a garment they will be changed.  But You are the same, and Your years have no end!”  (Hebrews 1:10-12 ESV)

JESUS CARES!!! DON’T DOUBT IT – DEPEND ON IT!!!

He understands and shares our sorrow – our sense of loss – and brings us comfort and hope!

Lazarus, a dear friend, loved deeply by Jesus, lived in Bethany. He became very ill and died. Jesus was not there at the time (in fact, he delayed His coming, even though Mary and Martha, his sisters sent Jesus word). They did not understand (but Jesus had a wonderful plan – the “resurrection” of Lazarus!).

When Jesus did arrive, Lazarus had already been dead four days. Both Martha and Mary did not understand… DID JESUS CARE? Martha told Jesus, “If you had been here, my brother would not have died!” Mary echoed her complaint! It’s clear both ladies, understandably were struggling to understand…

DID JESUS CARE? In my Bible reading today as I soaked up the pathos of this story in John 11 (you really ought to read it for yourself!) It became abundantly clear to me JESUS DID CARE – HE CARED DEEPLY! Here it is from the Bible…

Jesus went to the tomb. “When he was Mary weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, He was deeply moved in His spirit and greatly troubled… JESUS WEPT!… Then Jesus, deeply moved again came to the tomb.” (From vss. 33-38)

Jesus had the stone before the tomb removed… And in keeping with His word of assurance to Martha: “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live!” Jesus prayed and then cried out with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out! And the man who had died came out!”

You see, not only does Jesus care… He conquered death on our behalf! He is the resurrection and the life!

As I read this story and identified with Martha and Mary an old gospel song came to mind sung by Guy Penrod and the late, great Beverly Shea. You owe it to yourself to listen to it (I’ve provided the YouTube link)!!!