Blog

strange light in a dark forest at night. Silhouette of person standing in the dark forest with light. Dark night in forest at fog time. Surreal night forest scene. Horror halloween concept. Fairytale

<div class="nLG8d5" data-hook="post-description"><article class="blog-post-page-font"><div class="post-content__body"><div class="moHCnT"><div class="moHCnT"><div class="fTEXDR A2sIZ4 QEEfz0" data-rce-version="9.11.0"><div class="itVXy dojW8l s6hjqn _8a1b4" dir="ltr" data-id="rich-content-viewer"><div class="mhGZq BAGeNT"><p id="viewer-foo" class="xVISr Y9Dpf bCMSCT OZy-3 lnyWN yMZv8w bCMSCT public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 fixed-tab-size public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr"><span class="B2EFF public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr">Why do some go through greater trials than others? As A.W. Tozer once said, "When God wants to use a man greatly, he hurts him deeply." This sentiment rings true in the Life and Times of Elijah, particularly when his source of sustenance, the brook, dried up in 1 Kings 17. Kerith, in Hebrew, signifies "to cut off" or "to cut down." Thus, Elijah was cut off from his source of livelihood, much like many of us may feel at times in our lives.</span></p><p id="viewer-6r9l" class="xVISr Y9Dpf bCMSCT OZy-3 lnyWN yMZv8w bCMSCT public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 fixed-tab-size public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr"><span class="B2EFF public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr">God's training method for Elijah mirrors the experiences of many believers. As we yield to God's commission, we encounter trials designed to prepare us for greater works, just like Elijah. God uses these trials to dismantle our pride, fears, resentment, and harmful habits, ultimately reforming us into better servants.</span></p><p id="viewer-2jt43" class="xVISr Y9Dpf bCMSCT OZy-3 lnyWN yMZv8w bCMSCT public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 fixed-tab-size public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr"><span class="B2EFF public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr">The drying up of Elijah's brook, in essence, was a test of faith. The Prophet had to endure the impact of his prophecy, suffering due to the lack of rain he had foretold. But, the lesson goes beyond personal suffering. The drying brook also symbolized the transition from reliance on physical sustenance to a deeper reliance on God.</span></p><p id="viewer-633mt" class="xVISr Y9Dpf bCMSCT OZy-3 lnyWN yMZv8w bCMSCT public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 fixed-tab-size public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr"><span class="B2EFF public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr">Saint John of the Cross, a man whose writings have inspired many, said that God perceives our imperfections and prompts us to mature spiritually. He called these periods of spiritual dryness "The Dark Night of the Soul." These are times when God weans us from worldly pleasures, inducing spiritual growth by replacing vices with virtues. <strong>Through these "Dark Nights," pride becomes humility, greed becomes simplicity, wrath becomes contentment, and so on</strong>.</span></p><p id="viewer-7lb7g" class="xVISr Y9Dpf bCMSCT OZy-3 lnyWN yMZv8w bCMSCT public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 fixed-tab-size public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr"><span class="B2EFF public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr">Experiencing a "Kerith," or a period when the brook dries up, can manifest in various ways in our lives. It may be a time of criticism and accusation, hurtful words from loved ones, perceived failure, or lost dreams. It could also be a period of loneliness and seemingly endless waiting.</span></p><p id="viewer-e305f" class="xVISr Y9Dpf bCMSCT OZy-3 lnyWN yMZv8w bCMSCT public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 fixed-tab-size public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr"><span class="B2EFF public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr">Yet, these moments of obscurity, humble duties, and uncelebrated work shape us. Kerith is also a time of temptation, disappointment, and debilitating discouragement. <strong>It is a humbling experience when we realize our limitations and understand that we are not in control of everything.</strong> It can be a struggle, a time of failure and humiliation, which helps God to deal with our presumption and pride.</span></p><p id="viewer-cnk41" class="xVISr Y9Dpf bCMSCT OZy-3 lnyWN yMZv8w bCMSCT public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 fixed-tab-size public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr"><span class="B2EFF public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr">Kerith may also teach us how to do without certain aspects of life—love, beauty, money, marriage, health, or reputation. Stripped of these worldly desires, we learn to be content with what God gives us. We learn that sometimes, God Himself is the only answer, a lesson that Elijah had to learn when his brook dried up.</span></p><p id="viewer-2181k" class="xVISr Y9Dpf bCMSCT OZy-3 lnyWN yMZv8w bCMSCT public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 fixed-tab-size public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr"><span class="B2EFF public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr">Despite the struggle, Kerith is an indispensable part of spiritual growth. As the Psalmist states in Psalm 73, "Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you." The drying of our brook may lead us to a place of profound spiritual thirst for God. When we go through our own Kerith, our longings are stripped away, leaving us with nothing but a desire for God alone.</span></p><p id="viewer-9om14" class="xVISr Y9Dpf bCMSCT OZy-3 lnyWN yMZv8w bCMSCT public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 fixed-tab-size public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr"><span class="B2EFF public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr"><strong>Reflection</strong></span></p><p id="viewer-s4a2" class="xVISr Y9Dpf bCMSCT OZy-3 lnyWN yMZv8w bCMSCT public-DraftStyleDefault-block-depth0 fixed-tab-size public-DraftStyleDefault-text-ltr"><span class="B2EFF public-DraftStyleDefault-ltr">Read 1 Kings 17. This passage offers a depth of insights about life's trials and our spiritual journey. Here are three key points to reflect upon, along with some questions to foster further introspection:</span></p><ol class="public-DraftStyleDefault-ol"><li id="viewer-bbeg" class="bCMSCT vBYpX public-DraftStyleDefault-orderedListItem public-DraftStyleDefault-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-list-ltr fixed-tab-size public-DraftStyleDefault-reset OZy-3 lnyWN yMZv8w bCMSCT"><p class="Y9Dpf OZy-3 lnyWN yMZv8w bCMSCT"><strong>Trials as Preparation:</strong> As depicted in the life of Elijah, trials often serve as God's method of preparing us for greater works. They allow us to dismantle detrimental traits like pride, fear, and resentment, and pave the way for personal transformation and spiritual growth. Reflect on your past trials. How have they prepared you for what you are doing now or what you may be called to do in the future? Can you identify a time in your life when you've experienced a "Kerith," a time when your brook dried up? How did that period of difficulty shape your faith and personal growth?</p></li><li id="viewer-9fv09" class="bCMSCT vBYpX public-DraftStyleDefault-orderedListItem public-DraftStyleDefault-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-list-ltr fixed-tab-size OZy-3 lnyWN yMZv8w bCMSCT"><p class="Y9Dpf OZy-3 lnyWN yMZv8w bCMSCT"><strong>The Dark Night of the Soul:</strong> Saint John of the Cross talks about periods of spiritual dryness, referring to them as "The Dark Night of the Soul." These are times when God weans us from worldly pleasures, replacing vices with virtues. This concept suggests that spiritual growth often comes from periods of struggle and difficulty. Consider times when you've experienced spiritual dryness. How have these periods shaped your character and faith? As you reflect on these experiences, what vices might need to be replaced with virtues?</p></li><li id="viewer-crkj5" class="bCMSCT vBYpX public-DraftStyleDefault-orderedListItem public-DraftStyleDefault-depth0 public-DraftStyleDefault-list-ltr fixed-tab-size OZy-3 lnyWN yMZv8w bCMSCT"><p class="Y9Dpf OZy-3 lnyWN yMZv8w bCMSCT"><strong>Desire for God Alone:</strong> The drying of our brook, or our Kerith, may lead us to a place of profound spiritual thirst for God. Stripped of worldly longings, we may find that our ultimate desire becomes God alone. Reflect on your desires. What longings need to be stripped away for you to seek God more earnestly? As you consider your spiritual journey, how can you actively engage in this transformation process to deepen your relationship with God?<br><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br>(Content based on The Spirit and Power of Elijah Study by Albert Lemmons)</span></p></li></ol><div data-hook="rcv-block22"><br></div><div data-hook="rcv-block-last"><br></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></article></div><div id="post-footer" class="OFA52E jG7PL8"><div class="ux83lW" data-hook="post-main-actions-desktop"><br></div></div><p><br></p>