From Sticks To Strong
There are seasons of life that will challenge us so deeply that we may be tempted to think there’s no way out. In today’s episode we enter a story of a woman that feels hopeless until God breaks through her circumstances.
In 1 Kings 16: 30-33 the King of Israel, King Ahab, makes a huge mistake by marrying a woman named Jezebel. She was the daughter of a neighboring King—and came from a land known for their idol worship of false gods. She brought her evil practices with her, and before long, the King of Israel was leading the people in the same dark ways.
In 1 Kings 17: 1-6, we see the prophet Elijah emerge from nowhere! He has no backstory or genealogy. He’s a truth teller who predicted there would be no rain until he declared it—and a drought came over the land immediately. This was not a punishment, but rather a wakeup call! Throughout this time of drought, God miraculously provided for Elijah through ravens bringing bread and meat, and water from a clear brook.
Gutsy Principle #1: God protects those who protect His principles.
Biblically, ravens are a symbol of God’s protection and provision. Daily, the prophet was cared for as the country of Israel suffered from the lack of rain. But soon, the lifesaving brook began to dry up, and Elijah wisely moved to receive new direction from the Lord.
Gutsy Principle #2: Sometimes our OLD anointing or godly direction will DRY UP, and we must be open to a new direction and plan.
Elijah meets a mother who is collecting sticks to make a fire for her last meal to be shared with her son. She thought she’d make this meal and then they’d die, because all their rations were finished. When Elijah calls out and asks her for some water and some bread, she says, “I have no bread. Only a handful of flour and a little oil. I’m gathering sticks so we can die!”
Gutsy Principle #3: You know you’re in a “sticks’ season if you only see negativity, not possibility.
Elijah encourages the women to press into faith and make the food. As she does, her supplies never run dry, and a beautiful relationship between her and Elijah is formed. We can be certain that when we’re living inside God’s will, our lives will NEVER dry up. We will go from pity to provision. From sticks to strong.
Have thoughts or questions about today’s episode? Message us or leave a comment below.