“Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord God, when I will send a famine on the land- not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD.” – Amos 8:11

Scripture reading: 1 Kings 17:2-7

Elijah’s pronouncement that there will be neither dew nor rain in the next few years, was striking, and one that left Ahab and his nobles speechless. Israel was absolutely dependent upon the early and late rains for their harvests and, during the months of the dry season, the dew that was heavy enough to sustain the crops. But for neither dew nor rain to fall would be a terrible judgment, indeed!

With God it is either/or. Either blessing or curse. Either covenant favour for those who love Him, or covenant wrath for those who deny Him. This is especially made clear in the drought of the Word of the Lord. For immediately after Elijah delivers God’s message to Ahab, he is told to depart and hide himself by the brook Cherith. This was not to protect himself from Ahab, but to show that God was cutting His people off from His life giving Word. Bound up with God’s prophet is God’s Word – the only source of salvation and blessing. While Elijah is miraculously fed bread and meat by the ravens, Israel is starving.

Yes, we can only live by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the Lord. Though a mighty prophet, Elijah could enforce faithfulness to God’s covenant, but not secure the keeping of it, nor satisfy the law’s just penalty for breaking it. Only Jesus, God’s incarnate Word can, and did, by His death on the cross. Unlike Elijah, His name means not only My God is Yahweh, but Yahweh who saves.

Suggestions for prayer

Ask that you may know God’s Word in all its fullness and its life giving power in every aspect of your life.

Rev. Barry Beukema is a graduate of Calvin College and Westminster Theological Seminary, Philadelphia. He has pastored the Christian Reformed Churches in Burdett, Alberta and Smithers, British Columbia. He then pastored the URCNA churches of Smithers, BC, Thunder Bay, ON, Lacombe, AB, Neerlandia, AB, and is now pastoring the United Reformed Church of Taber, Alberta.Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com.