## When the Brook Dries Up

## I Kings 17:1-7

Elijah had just announced that there was to be no rain for three years. No sooner had Elijah spoken to Ahab on behalf of God than God told his prophet to get out of town. He was to go down near Jericho about forty-five miles to the south and to wait on the east side of the Jordan river by the brook called Cherith.

There are two reasons for this departure: First, it was to fulfill the prophecy of God in the lives of the king and the people of Israel. Second, God sent his prophet to the "school of the desert" not only to save his life from the sword of Ahab and Jezebel, but also to strengthen his faith in God who is able to provide all his needs in time of drought.

At this point in his life as well as ours we naturally want to say to God "Well, how are you going to do that? or "I bet God will provide for me in this way or that, through this brother or sister , or that church, etc." But as someone once said, "The one predictable characteristic of God is that He is unpredictable."

In the midst of the drought the Lord led Elijah to a small stream in the rough hills of ancient Moab now known as Jordan.

I. This was God's special place for Elijah, Cherith.

A. What was at Cherith?

1. Here God supplies water- when no one else has it.

2. Here God supplies food - when food is scarce.

3. Here God supplies bread - when it also is scarce.

B. Everything is wonderful for Elijah.

1. He has worked hard and now is enjoying the fruit of his labor and faithfulness.

2. Everyone else is having a hard time because of the drought, but not Elijah.

C. BUT ONE DAY THE BROOK DRIED UP:

1. The ravens didn't show.

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

3. Everything that Elijah had relied upon was gone!

4. The only One left was God.

II. Several truths:

A. “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.” (Mat 5:45)

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

2. We have been teaching a series on Wednesday evenings about why bad things happen to good people?

3. We live in a world of sin, and 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:

a. Is a special friend.

b. A bank account.

c. A job that provides security.

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

a. NOTE AN IMPORTANT LESSON:

b. ELIJAH DIDN'T CRY OR POUT WHEN THE BROOK DRIED UP.

4. 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-pity?

1. He surely would have died.

2. Others would have suffered. ver 8-16

a. The very next place God brings Elijah is to the widow of Zarephath.

b. They were about to die!

c. They desperately needed Elijah at the very time that God sent him there.

d. Hmmmm. What a coincidence!

3. Baal worshipped would have flourished.

a. In chapter 18 we read of how Elijah took on 450 prophets of Baal on Mt. Carmel.

b. “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 answer- ed him not a word.” (1 Ki. 18:21)

c. The people needed Elijah's ministry and strong challenge to choose to serve God.

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

A. DON'T CRY TOO LONG.

1. Remember that the same God who has provided in the past can do so in the future.

2. He will take care of us.

3. And, He will use us to minister to others as well!

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

1. So often we forget the blessings of God when we are faced with some trial.

2. Listen to David's reminder:

Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's. (Ps. 103:2-5)

C. FOLLOW WHERE GOD POINTS YOU.

1. We must allow God to direct in our lives.

2. Trusting His guidance as we follow.

3. He will take us places we have never imagined and He has more blessings in store for us as we follow in obedience.

Where are we at tonight? Are we sitting comfortably along side the brook enjoying the blessings of God? Enjoy this time and praise the Lord for what He is doing in our lives. But we must realize that there will come a time when God will cause our brooks to dry up. We will be faced with an uncertain future.

This God will do, not to punish us or be mean to us, but to strengthen us and use us to fulfill His purpose for our lives. We can choose to obey Him and be blessed or we can choose to complain and dry up along with the brook. I heard recently of a woman who made a very sad statement. A new Christian was so excited about her new life in Christ that she simply couldn't contain herself. She had to praise God daily for what He was doing in her life. Another woman, who had been a Christian for some time, observed the zeal of this new Christian and said, "Well, she hasn't gotten bitter yet!" As if to say that our zeal and excitement for God is just temporary and that in time we will grow bitter toward God. How sad! She dried up along with the brook instead of following God!

What about us tonight? Have we lost our zeal and excitement for the things of God? Are we drying up spiritually? Why not come tonight and give yourself to God anew?