Sermon Title: Seasons of Hiddenness
Text: 1 Kings 17:1-7

Observation: When people willingly sin, they often suffer the already known consequences for their sin.

Ahab did more to provoke the Lord, the God of Israel, to anger than all the kings of Israel who were before him. 1 Kings 16:33

The Lord will strike you with wasting disease and with fever, inflammation and fiery heat, and with drought[a] and with blight and with mildew. They shall pursue you until you perish. 23 And the heavens over your head shall be bronze, and the earth under you shall be iron. Deut. 28:22-23

Now Elijah the Tishbite, of Tishbe in Gilead, said to Ahab, “As the Lord, the God of Israel, lives, before whom I stand, there shall be neither dew nor rain these years, except by my word.” 1 Kings 17:1

Point 1: God sometimes protects his servants when there is clear and present danger by hiding them away.

And the word of the Lord came to him: 3 “Depart from here and turn eastward and hide yourself by the brook Cherith, which is east of the Jordan. 1 Kings 17:2-3

· Moses: When Pharaoh heard of it, he sought to kill Moses. But Moses fled from Pharaoh and stayed in the land of Midian... Ex. 2:15

· Joseph: Come now, let us kill him and throw him into one of the pits. Then we will say that a fierce animal has devoured him, and we will see what will become of his dreams.” Gen .37:20

· Jesus: Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.” Matt. 2:13

Point 2: When God hides us, we are well protected from the evil one, from our enemies, and from all sorts of trouble.

But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one. 2 Thess. 3:3 (see Ps. 121:7-8)

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Ps. 46:1

The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. Ps. 18:2

Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.” Deut. 31:6

But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them ever sing for joy, and spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may exult in you. Ps. 5:11

And I will be to her a wall of fire all around, declares the Lord, and I will be the glory in her midst.’” Zech 2:5

The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe. Ps. 18:10

Point 2: In seasons of hiddenness, as the world continues to spin, God is preparing us from the inside out.

So he went and did according to the word of the Lord. He went and lived by the brook Cherith that is east of the Jordan. 6 And the ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning, and bread and meat in the evening, and he drank from the brook. 7 And after a while the brook dried up, because there was no rain in the land. 1 Kings 17:5-6

Jehovah-Jireh: So Abraham called the name of that place, “The Lord will provide”; as it is said to this day, “On the mount of the Lord it shall be provided.” Gen. 22:14

Point 3: God doesn’t hide us so we can survive, but so that we can accomplish his purpose in his perfect timing.

And after a while the brook dried up, because there was no rain in the land. 1 Kings 17:7

· Moses: Come, I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring my people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt.” Ex. 3:10

· Joseph: For God sent me before you to preserve life. Gen 45:5

· Jesus: I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. John 10:10b

Application: Be thankful for the ravens that God sends your way. For the people he puts in your life to protect you, care for you, and show God’s love to you.

Bonus: You are a raven! Be the one whom Jesus uses to bless others in their time of need.

You shall drink from the brook, and I have commanded the ravens to feed you there.” 1 Kings 17:4

And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward. Matt. 10:42

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. John 13:34