When the Brook Dried Up

Read

1 Kings 17:7-9 “Some time later the brook dried up because there had been no rain in the land. Then the word of the LORD came to him: ‘Go at once to Zarephath in the region of Sidon and stay there. I have directed a widow there to supply you with food.’”

Think

Every day, Elijah had water from the brook. Every morning and every evening, the ravens brought food. Life by the brook was simple, but it was good.

But remember, there was no rain. Day after day, the brook got a little smaller. The water got lower and lower. Then one day, Elijah walked down to get a drink, and it was gone. Just dry rocks and dusty dirt.

How do you think Elijah felt? Maybe worried. Maybe confused. “God, this was the place you gave me. Why is it drying up?”

Have you ever had something good come to an end? Maybe your best friend moved to another city. You used to ride bikes together every afternoon, and now a new family lives in their house. Or maybe your favorite teacher changed schools. Or your family had to leave a home you loved.

When something good ends, it can feel like your brook dried up. It's okay to be sad about that. God understands.

But look at what happened right after Elijah's brook dried up.

The very next thing the Bible tells us is that God spoke to Elijah. God had a new plan. “Go to a town called Zarephath,” God said. “I have directed a widow there to supply you with food.” A widow is a woman whose husband has died.

Did you catch that? God said, “I have directed.” That means God had already set it up! Before the brook dried up, God was already working on what came next.

Elijah didn't know about Zarephath yet. But God did.

When something good ends in your life, God is not surprised. He is not scrambling to come up with a backup plan. He already knows what's next, and he is already getting it ready.

Maybe a new friend is waiting for you. Maybe a new place will turn out to be a great place. You might not see it yet, but God does.

The brook dried up. God's care never does.

Apply

Tell God what ended – Is there something good that ended for you, like a friendship, a place, or a team? Tell God how you feel about it. Then ask him to show you the good thing he has next.

Pray

God, sometimes good things end, and it makes me sad. Thank you that you always know what's next. Help me trust you and look for the new things you are doing. In Jesus' name. Amen.