PROPHET OF FIRE & RAIN—Drought & Trust
By Pastor Robby Bradford
(1 Kings 16:29-33 NLT) Ahab son of Omri began to rule over Israel in the thirty-eighth year of King Asa’s reign in Judah. He reigned in Samaria twenty-two years. But Ahab son of Omri did what was evil in the Lord’s sight, even more than any of the kings before him. And as though it were not enough to follow the example of Jeroboam, he married Jezebel, the daughter of King Ethbaal of the Sidonians, and he began to bow down in worship of Baal. First Ahab built a temple and an altar for Baal in Samaria. Then he set up an Asherah pole. He did more to provoke the anger of the Lord, the God of Israel, than any of the other kings of Israel before him.
* Your choices position you for blessing or correction.
(1 Kings 16:34 NLT) It was during his reign that Hiel, a man from Bethel, rebuilt Jericho. When he laid its foundations, it cost him the life of his oldest son, Abiram. And when he completed it and set up its gates, it cost him the life of his youngest son, Segub. This all happened according to the message from the Lord concerning Jericho spoken by Joshua son of Nun.
* Your sins always have ripples that impact those closest to you.
(1 Kings 17:1 NLT) Now Elijah, who was from Tishbe in Gilead, told King Ahab, “As surely as the Lord, the God of Israel, lives—the God I serve—there will be no dew or rain during the next few years until I give the word!”
* No matter what people or powers declare, God is still in control.
(1 Kings 17:2-4 NLT) Then the Lord said to Elijah, “Go to the east and hide by Kerith Brook, near where it enters the Jordan River. Drink from the brook and eat what the ravens bring you, for I have commanded them to bring you food.”
* God’s plans for you always require trust.
(1 Kings 17:5-6 NLT) So Elijah did as the Lord told him and camped beside Kerith Brook, east of the Jordan. The ravens brought him bread and meat each morning and evening, and he drank from the brook.
* Miracles are built on the foundation of obedience.
(1 Kings 17:7 NLT) But after a while the brook dried up, for there was no rainfall anywhere in the land.
* Trust God when the brook runs dry.