Written by Dynamis Ministries | June 2, 2022
Communication has most certainly advanced over the years. In fact, did you know that long before text messages, DMs and snaps, people used pigeons to send messages? That right, birds were once the messengers! Maybe that’s why Twitter keeps hanging around (wink). These birds called homing pigeons were used throughout world history, especially during times of war where they would carry important messages from the front lines. The use of birds as carriers even shows up in the Bible. Check out one such instance:
“So he (Elijah) went and did according to the word of the Lord. He went and lived by the brook Cherith that is east of the Jordan. And the ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning, and bread and meat in the evening, and he drank from the brook” (1 Kings 17:5-7).
At this point the prophet Elijah was living alone in the wilderness. He was being nourished by a brook that was slowly diminishing because of a drought and by ravens that delivered daily food. He was experiencing a season of scarcity in every way. And yet God proved himself to be faithful. Elijah was receiving God’s generous blessings, not through surplus, but rather through daily provisions in unanticipated ways. Every day when the ravens delivered bread and meat, it’s like they were speaking powerful messages from God:
“I am here.”
“I am taking care of you.”
“I am trustworthy.”
“I am faithful.”
God used the ravens to minister to Elijah then, and even today God continues to use “ravens” to provide for us and remind us of his love and care when we experience our own seasons of scarcity. The ravens may not be actual birds, but help shows up in unanticipated ways and at opportune times, affirming that God is in control and taking care of us. Think of some of these “ravens” we may experience in our own lives: a call from a friend with an encouraging word at just the right time, a sudden opportunity to earn extra money when work hours are cut, a sense of peace after spending time in prayer, an invitation to be treated to a nice meal out when tired of eating alone, a sign of progress when longsuffering through an injury or the comfort from another when experiencing grief.
While these “ravens” may not deliver us from our times of scarcity, they bring us what we need in the moment, and they can provide just enough to keep us going. Beyond that, they also serve as messengers because they remind us that God is with us, that God will take care of us and that God is faithful and will always provide just what we need. When we face seasons of scarcity, whether it be physically, emotionally or relationally, be on the lookout for the ravens from God. They may come in unanticipated ways, but they will come in opportune moments. They always bring what is enough. Our God is faithful and will take care of our daily needs. He still sends us his ravens to prove it.
Photo Credit: Tyler Quiring
