When The Brook Dries Up

When the Brook Dries Up

Text: I Kings 17:1‑7

       Elijah had just announced that there was to be no rain for three years.

       King Ahab who had just married Jezebel had put out a contract on his life.

     I. God prepares a special place‑ Cherith

             A. Here God supplies water‑ when no one else has it.

             B. Here God supplies food ‑ when food is scarce.

             C. Here God supplies bread‑ when it also is scarce.

             D. Everything is wonderful for Elijah. He has worked hard and now is enjoying

                the fruit of his labor and faithfulness.

             E. Everyone else is having a hard time but not Elijah.

             F. BUT ONE DAY THE BROOK DRIED UP. The ravens didn't show.

             G. Elijah went to get a drink, and the brook was dry.

             H. Everything that Elijah had relied upon was gone!

     II. Several truths:

             A. Matthew 5:45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven:

                for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain

                on the just and on the unjust.

                     1. Elijah was not going to be spared from the drought forever.

                     2. Have you ever wondered why bad things happen to good people?

                     3. We live in a world of sin. WE ARE NOT IMMUNE TO THE EFFECTS OF SIN.

             B. CHERITHS DON'T LAST FOREVER.

                     1. One day the brook will dry up.

                     2. Perhaps your Cherith is a special friend:

                     3. A bank account.

                     4. A job that provides security.

                     5. All of Elijahs security vanished in a days time.

     NOTE AN IMPORTANT LESSON: ELIJAH DIDN'T CRY OR POUT WHEN THE BROOK DRIED UP.

                     6. HE KNEW SOMETHING:

                             a. There was something better to come!

                             b. I'm sure he missed his vacation spot but he didn't miss God.

                             c. It was time to move on.

                             d. The problem with Cheriths is that you can get real comfortable.

                             e. Stay by the brook too long and you may love the brook more than the God                                   who gave it too you.

                             f. FROM TIME TO TIME GOD GIVES US A GENTLE NUDGE TO GET BACK

                                INTO THE WORK THAT GOD HAS CALLED US TO DO.

             C. What would have happened if Elijah stayed there and cried in self‑pitty?

                     1. He surely would have died.

                     2. Others would have suffered. ver 8‑16

                     3. Baal worshipped would have flourished  ch. 18

                             a. Elijah took on 450 prophets of Baal on Mt. Carmel.

                             b. READ 18.21 POWERFUL VERSE.1 Kings 18:21

     And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the Lord be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word. 

     III. WHEN YOUR BROOK DRIES UP. (ALL SECURITY GONE)

             A. DON'T CRY TOO LONG.

             B. THANK GOD FOR THE WONDERFUL TIMES YOU HAD BY THE BROOK.

             C. FOLLOW WHERE GOD POINTS YOU.

             D. YOUR NEW COURSE WILL MOVE YOU FROM A VALLEY UP TO BETHLEHEM.