A Place Called There

Have you ever been there? That special zone where the pitcher produces a no hitter. The soloist hits the perfect note. The orator hits that cadence that flows so effortlessly. Or more importantly, that special place with God where the very atmosphere is charged and His presence so real that you are afraid to move lest you lose it? If you've ever been there you will never forget it. For when you're there and you know it, no mountain is too high. When you're there and you know it, no river is too wide. When you're there and you know it, no giant is too great. Ah, ... just to be there.
After his confrontation with Ahab, the word of the Lord came unto Elijah and said, "Go hide by the brook Cherith for I have commanded the ravens to feed you there." Because our God is moving, and His word is a "proceeding" word, this situation at the brook didn't last forever and the water dried up. That's why those who found that place called there twenty years ago are in such dire straits as to the revelation of God today. The brook dried up and they haven't moved! The proceeding word of God then came to Elijah and said, "Now go to Zarephath and dwell there: behold I have commanded a widow woman to sustain you there." While there the bread never ran out and the widow witnessed her son raised to life again. For such is the happenings when you are really there!
Then there came that wondrous happening at Carmel that resulted in a fiery revival for Israel and death to the prophets of Baal. Upon seeing his wanted poster down at the post office in Samaria, Elijah ran to the wilderness and found himself a cave. It was while in the cave that another word of the Lord came to the prophet. "What are you doing here, Elijah?" The difference between here and there is just one small letter! And the difference in just existing and really living right there in the white hot presence of Almighty God is often just a small little thing called, desire! This place called there must consume your waking moments and fill your dreams. Why? Because as it was with Elijah so will it be with us. There was yet a king to be anointed, and a prophet to be called, and that could not happen unless Elijah was there. Another generation out riding their bicycles and skateboards are depending on you being there, my friend. Let's not fail them for someone was there for me! Oh yes, one more thing. When Elijah crossed Jordan suddenly there appeared a fiery chariot and carried him away to another dimension. What do suppose would have happened if Elijah hadn't been there?
Respectfully
Raven

Before Whose Presence I Stand

1 Kings 18:1 And it came to pass after many days, that the word of the LORD came to Elijah in the third year, saying, Go shew thyself unto Ahab; and I will send rain upon the earth.

There are plenty of people who are more than willing to go show themselves and be the featured speaker at the conference, or the solo singer at the songfest. Of course you've seen them, they love to be seen! They have found the "in crowd" and everyone is waiting to hear them on the greatest night of the conference. Sure, Elijah was preaching before the king. But he had much rather be somewhere else, ................... such as standing before the King of kings!

1 Kings 18:15 And Elijah said, As the LORD of hosts liveth, before whom I stand, I will surely shew myself unto him to day.

The proper order is found, naturally enough, not in the books of leadership and the art of war but simply in the previous chapter to the one above.

1 Kings 17:3 Get thee hence, and turn thee eastward, and hide thyself by the brook Cherith, that is before Jordan.

Until you "hide yourself" you are not ready to "show thyself". Until your service is a pouring forth of a life of solitude, a life formed in the secret place of the Most High, you will never stand on God's stage. You may live to see your own "kingdom" but make no mistake, you will never "see" God's Kingdom! How many do you know that have been "spotlighted" because of some talent or ability? Many! How many have been "hidden"? Very few indeed! So if your life seems to go un-noticed and unappreciated, don't worry you are in the proper order and your day will come.

Your Friend
The Raven

Evermore

Ah distinctly I recall

When the rains would not fall

And the fields grew dry

From a scorching summer sun.

God's wrath waxed keen

Before the wicked queen

And righteous men were scarce

As coins in a beggar's cup.

Safe from the wrath

Following Cherith's path

The prophet fared on bread

Each and every day.

It was a miraculous thing

Borne on the raven's wing

And Elijah drank freely

From the bubbling brook.

How long would it last

This royal repast?

The raven's croak declared

Ever more! Ever more!

You've been there and so have I

When hope within seems to die.

Only to feel God's loving hand

And once again you live.

So, how long will He guide

Through life's heavy tide?

Just listen to the raven,

Evermore! Evermore!