“It shall be, that thou shalt drink of the brook; and I have commanded the ravens to feed thee there” (1 Kings 17:4).
God is never at a loss for a way of providing for His children. The brooks of water, the birds of the air, the beasts of the field, the winds of heaven, the waves of the sea – all creatures belong to Him, and are under His direct control. He has no trouble, therefore, in getting food to His children, wherever they may be. Perhaps none of us ever had ravens carry us our daily bread, but God sends it to us in other ways; and it is just as truly He Who sends it, whether railroad trains carry it across a continent, or ships bring it halfway around the globe, or birds bear it to our windows, or it is passed to us through the hands of loving friends.
Many of us know too much for our good in these modern days. We are so wise about “laws of nature” that we can account for everything on scientific grounds, and have no need for God’s interference anywhere; and consequently, some of us forget that God has anything to do with this world. What poor fools we are! What are nature’s laws, except God’s established ways of doing things? If I sow wheat-seeds on a little patch of soil, and in a few months reap a harvest, and then, taking the wheat to the mill, get fine flour and have good bread on my table – did God have nothing to do with sending it to me? Did not He provide it as truly as when He sent the ravens to Elijah day by day with food for him?
I’d love to hear your thoughts and comments on this article! Feel free to leave your reflections and ask your questions below.
God bless you and your family, this day and always.
All for our King’s glory,
Christian
photo by Destiny Wenzel | Lightstock.com
This post is another installment of Miller’s Monday Musings, a weekly series that is published every Monday on my website. The series features selected writings that have been adapted from the works of James Russell Miller (1840-1912), a much-beloved Christian author and pastor who is well-remembered for his practical thoughts on Christian home and family life. Learn more about this weekly series by clicking here.
As I read the end of this article, I thought of 1 Corinthians 4:7 which states, “For who maketh thee to differ from another? And what hast thou that thou dist not receive? Now if thou dist receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?” King James Version. A little difficult to read with its very formal language but the message is clear. If everything you have comes from God and is a gift from him, why do you boast as if it were not a gift. (That is probably another translation I’ve read paraphrased.) The first time I read that verse, which by the way was in a children’s book, it struck me as profound! Everything we have is a gift! Hallelujah!
Amen! Praise the Lord for His marvelous gifts! Thank you so much for sharing this paraphrase that helps make the meaning of that verse a little clearer. 🙂
Blessings,
Christian