And it came to pass after a while, that the brook dried up, because there had been no rain in the land. — 1 Kings 17:7
I love studying Elijah and his ministry all throughout the Bible. One of my favorite stories is found here in 1 Kings 17. In the verses preceding our focus verse, Elijah was told by God to go to the brook Cherith. God told Elijah that he had already prepared a way for him to receive food and that he would find water in the brook.
Elijah was doing exactly what God wanted him to do. God told Elijah to go, and Elijah went. He told him to find the brook and that he had prepared nourishment for him. Elijah listened and found food and water just like God said it would happen. Bread and flesh in the morning from the ravens and bread and flesh in the evenings from the ravens. God was faithful to Elijah at the brook.
But in verse 7 something interesting happens. After being there for a while, right where God told him to be, the brook dries up! Elijah had just warned the people that a drought was coming, but I often wonder if he believed that since God told him to go to the brook that he would be spared from the effects of the drought. Just because we are in the will of God and doing the things God wants us to do, it does not exempt us from the world.
Sometimes it can be difficult to know you are doing what God wants you to do, but find yourself dealing with the effects of this world around you. There is good news, however, for the Christian who finds themselves in this situation! It would be so disheartening if the story of Elijah stopped here and he ended up dealing with the effects of the drought for an extended time period.
Instead, verse 8 tells us that the word of the Lord came to him. I am so thankful that when I am in the middle of dealing with a drought, knowing I am in the will of God, I can turn to His word and He still speaks in the middle of the situation. God has never deserted one of His children while they were doing what He asked them to do! When you find yourself in a situation where you know that you are following God, just listen. He will speak and will take care of you.