Now Elijah . . . said to Ahab, “As the Lord, the God of Israel, lives, . . . there will be neither dew nor rain in the next few years except at my word.” (1 Kings 17:1)
Expanded Passage: 1 Kings 17:1
The steps into the school bus my mother drove never seemed as steep—or my legs as heavy—as the day I needed to break the news to her that I was just suspended from middle school for three days. Apparently, hanging out with friends who do knuckleheaded things can lead to consequences, especially if you don’t confront those behaviors.
My mother has always been understanding and fair, but I still hated disappointing her, and the news hit harder than I anticipated. She admitted there would be extra chores to do with my newly acquired free time and that we’d be “suffering together.”
I wonder how much Elijah could relate as he broke some sobering news to a not-so-contrite Ahab about the great drought that was to come, which was a direct consequence of his evil ways and the irreverence of the people he ruled over. Elijah was not part of the people’s falling away, yet he faced similar consequences facing a massive drought and subsequent famine.
As a parent or a Christian confronting a fallen world, doing the right thing isn’t always easy and can come with a side order of undeserved suffering, but we can remember that God always provides for those who serve him. For Elijah, that provision came in the form of ravens providing bread and meat, and a widow who shared her food with him. How has God blessed you despite less-than-savory circumstances?
Even when serving God leads to unexpected suffering, seek God’s blessings.
John Zaktansky is the youth group leader at Port Ann Wesleyan Church in central Pennsylvania and oversees youth ministry at an annual family camp.
© 2024 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.
