There are few figures in the Bible that are more dynamic than the Prophet Elijah
• He is one of two persons that show up with Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration
• So the assertion made of Elijah by the Apostle James is most intriguing
• James 5:17a (BSB) – “Elijah was a man just like us.”
• This month we will look at four events in the life of Elijah that will inspire us to see how God desires to prepare us and use us in our generation
• No spiritual super heroes necessary…just ordinary people surrendered to the Lord
God Uses Trials
• We often forget Elijah’s ministry didn’t begin when he summoned fire from heaven at Mount Carmel
• He had to pass through a difficult season of isolation in the Kerith Ravine (1 Kings 17:1-7)
• When we face hard trials, it can feel like God is angry with us
• But in actuality, He is leading us into a place for our greater good
• Trials do cause setbacks, but ultimately God uses them to build perseverance and to mature our character (James 1:2-4)
• It turns out that trials come from God’s heart…not His fist
Trials Develop Dependence
• We can see God’s heart revealed in how ‘Kerith’ can be translated: “a place of cutting” or “cut-off”
• God led Elijah into the Kerith Ravine where He could chisel away on his character
• He needed this time alone so he could learn to depend on God and His supernatural resources
• One of the great commands of Scripture is “Cease striving and know that I am God.” (Ps. 46:10)
• Being alone with God divorces us from the pull of this world and develops our dependence on Him
• You don’t have to wait for a trial to have alone time with God
• Pick a time…Play worship…Open the word (the bible or a devotional)…Journal your thoughts and Pray
Trials Produce Contentment
• God chose to supply Elijah’s needs through a brook that would dry up very soon
• Why is God’s provision sometimes just barely enough?
• He’s teaching us to be content in whatever state we are in by learning to rest in Him
• Paul said, “I have learned the secret of contentment.” (Philippians 4:11-13)
• Most have never learned this secret
• But contentment is obviously crucial if a person is going to be someone God can use greatly
• To be content, we’ve got to practice giving thanks in every situation (1 Thessalonians 5:18)
Trials Build Faith
• The ravens brought bread and meat to Elijah
• For a Jew, receiving food from a raven might be the worst way to receive food
• It would be like eating off of a filthy floor (Lev. 11:13-15)
• It’s not that God is cruel…He shows Elijah that He can use any method He wants to meet his needs
• God was nourishing his faith, helping him to see that God provides no matter his circumstances
• No matter the trial, we’ve got to keep our eyes on the Supplier!
Having worked in the heart of the prophet, God sent him to the next place
• Again, it was a place of provision and growth, but also a place for ministry (1 Kings 17:8-9)
• That’s life for a believer…God uses trials in our lives to grow our dependence, contentment and faith so He can use us in the lives of others and them in our lives as well
• Remember, trials come from God’s heart…not His fist…He is growing us in love for a larger purpose!