Lately Desire Fellowship has been in deep prayer mode. One of the prayer requests of the church is that we would be patient and steadfast regardless of circumstance, trusting and believing God in all things. That’s extremely tough to do. We all love to receive the security and blessings that God provides, but being patient and staying on the path that God has paved for us is the tough part. In a recent sermon we looked at a story that can be found in 1 Kings 17:1-24. Elijah the prophet was living during a time when king after king continued to do evil in the eyes of the Lord and serve other Gods. So one day the prophet spoke…. “There will be no rain or dew falling from the sky for the next few years because of the wrongdoing of the kings and the Israelites.” But there was one clear problem that I saw with this…. that this would even impact Elijah himself since he had to live in the land, and his water supply would also be cut off! But despite the tough circumstances, as long as Elijah continue to do the work God had called him to do and continue to trust God, God provided. A brook that is only supposed to be filled when there’s water present became Elijah’s constant water supply. The ravens, who are consumers, would instead deliver Elijah meat twice daily like a waiter! God was supplying Elijah’s needs in the most strangest scenarios because Elijah continue to do the work that God had called him to do regardless of the circumstances. And then one day the brook dried up, and the raven’s delivery service had stopped. Most people would give up and think “God is failing me!” It was just another test of faith! It was just to see if Elijah would continue to trust God. Elijah was instructed to go to Zarephath, one of the most populated places in the region. With the huge number of people the drought had to be more severe! And this is where God wanted Elijah to go! But Elijah doesn’t quit or give up. He continues to trust that God will provide in all things and heads over to Zarephath. Upon arrival he connects with a woman and immediately, because she becomes connected to Elijah she’s blessed with more food and water than she and her son had ever had since the drought! Elijah’s faith even brings her son back to life later in the story. Please join with us as we pray for patience and steadfastness in spite of circumstance – that we would, like Elijah, keep our hands on the plow and trust that God will provide!

-Oscar