The Lesson of Cherith: God’s Provision
Get thee hence…and hide thyself by the brook Cherith…and I have commanded the ravens to feed thee there.
I Kings 17:3,4
At Cherith Elijah learned the lesson of God’s provision. But Cherith was the place of God’s provision because it was the place of God’s purpose. Elijah was in the place where God told him to be. The ravens had been commanded to feed him “there,” not somewhere else, not just anywhere, but “there.” Where God guides He provides. He is responsible for our upkeep if we follow His directions. He is not responsible for expenses not on His schedule. He does not foot the bill when we leave His itinerary.
Sometimes God’s arrangements are most unusual. Commanding the birds to feed a prophet is strange procedure. And sometimes God sends us off to a brook when we think we ought to be out in the thick of things. The need is so great, the harvest so plenteous and the laborers so few that it looks like a waste of time to head for a brook. But God has His own pattern and plan, and He may want us by a mountain brook when we are al hot and bothered about getting into the heat of the battle. But it was at Cherith’s brook that Elijah was made ready for Cermel’s battle.
Oh how I love this account of how the Lord will provide for us as we walk in obedience to His Word. As a little girl I loved to hear messages preached from this passage of scripture. It has helped me on many occasions when I felt alone and abandoned my friends ans loved ones. Thank God for His amazing grace.