Part of God’s plan for Elijah was for him to stand on Mount Carmel, call down fire from heaven, and rescue Israel from a life of worshipping idols. But he could only get there one step at a time. That’s how God works. First God sent him to a brook at Cherith (which means ‘covenant’). God wants us to discover that He is a covenant-making, covenant-keeping God. He makes promises and keeps them. God promised to provide for Elijah at Cherith. He told him: ‘I have directed the ravens to supply you with food there’ (1 Kings 17:4 NIV). When God shows us the next step to take, we can know for sure that He’ll provide for us in that place and that He’ll be with us. Next God sent Elijah to Zarephath. The name ‘Zarephath’ means ‘a crucible’ – a place where metal is refined. We can sometimes find ourselves going through a refining process. We feel the heat of the fire and we wonder if we’re just going to end up burned. But God can use the fiery trials to help refine us. He separates our impurities from the gold. Wherever we find ourselves today, we shouldn’t be complaining, worrying, and trying to figure everything out on our own. Instead, we should be trusting Him. The Bible says, ‘The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord.’ Just like He guided Elijah, He guides us too. He shows us the steps to take. He knows what we need to experience and grow through before we can do the things He’s calling us to do. And when we’ve passed the test at Cherith and Zarephath, we’ll be ready for the blessing and calling of Mount Carmel.

What Now?

Get a big piece of paper and draw a long set of stepping stones. In each stone write the major steps you’ve already taken in life (or a specific part of your life), then ask God to show you what your next step should be.