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Aug 16, 2023 06:00am

Rise Up and Follow God

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“Nevermore.”

Not exactly the most positive word, right? But, when we add in the speaker of this one word, it gets even darker: a raven.

Weird? Yes. Does it make for an interesting story? Yes! (Don’t all timeless tales have a bit of the odd and strange in them?)

Each year, students all over the world read an ominous poem titled “The Raven” by Edgar A. Poe. I am one of those English teachers who enjoys teaching it. This poem captivates many with its storyline: a man is deeply depressed and sad, mourning the loss of his beloved Lenore. One night a raven comes through his window. Instead of freaking out and trying to get rid of the raven (like most of us would), our protagonist is intrigued…in fact, he sees it as a symbol of hope and encouragement. He feels that perhaps God has sent the bird to help him with his sorrow. So, he decides to talk to the bird (this is not the strangest moment in the poem). Captivated, he asks it a series of questions. Each time, it responds with one word: “Nevermore.” Ironically, this doesn’t stop him. He starts asking more personal questions, questions about Lenore: “Is she in heaven?” and “Is she okay?” (This is where is gets flat-out weird). After getting that same one-word answer over and over, he feels this bird must be from Satan and sent to torment him. He spirals down into a pit of despair he can’t recover from.

Phew. Heavy, right?

But, it’s so interesting how our protagonist looked to the raven as hope because ravens don’t have the best reputations. In mythologies, they are seen as evil. Ravens are also scavenger birds – usually going after things that are already dead (like roadkill). They are even referenced in Leviticus 11:13-19 where God called them a strong word: detestable.

Ironically, that’s not the only place in the Bible they appear. In Genesis 8:6-7, Noah released a raven from the ark, looking for a sign of land, yet it never returned. Flip over a few books in the Bible to 1 Kings where they show up again – this time in the story of Elijah. Elijah was a prophet during the time Ahab was king. Scripture calls Ahab one of the most evil kings who reigned over Israel (1 Kings 16:25), and that’s not all: he married an evil woman named Jezebel. Together, they were an evil duo who engaged in and promoted idol worship. As a result, God told Elijah to call them out for their sins. (Can we agree that being a prophet of God in those days was a tough gig?) Elijah did not hesitate – he obeyed he obeyed God and pronounced a drought for the next several years.

Just like that, Elijah became public enemy #1. The fight was on.

Let’s be honest. Fights aren’t fun. They’re difficult, gut-wrenching, and hard. But, here’s the cool thing about this fight: it became the backdrop for God to do the impossible in Elijah’s life. God not only protected Elijah by sending him to a remote area, but He also provided for Elijah in the most unique way: through ravens.

Wait, what? Ravens? Those birds that God called “detestable”?

Why in the world would God use an unclean bird to feed his holy man, Elijah?

Good question. Here is my short answer: this is what God does.

Why would He use a murderer named Moses to lead His people out of slavery? Why would He use a donkey to speak to Balaam about his disobedience? Why would He use a former naked, crazy guy possessed with demons to preach to his hometown about the saving power of his Savior, Jesus Christ? Why would He use a murderer of Christians to preach about the Gospel, becoming one of the most powerful missionaries in the world?

God loves to break the mold of what we know, esteem, and value to show us His ways are not our ways. And, though His ways may not always make sense to us, we are called to trust Him and to follow Him. This is the ultimate walk of faith.

And because Elijah rose up to this righteous fight with King Ahab, God provided for him in the most unusual way through our feathered friends, giving him just enough food for the day. In Philippians 4:19, God promises to take care of all our needs, giving us just enough for that moment.

Just enough strength. Just enough grace. Just enough hope. Just enough mercy. Just enough provision.

Friends, here’s the beauty of this story: if God did it for Elijah, He will do it for you too.

As women, we are used to providing – it’s what we do! Sometimes, we can get so used to providing for others that we’ve stopped looking to God to provide for us. You see, we can strive and strive and strive and still feel empty and dry. Friends, sometimes our biggest fight is to give up our desire to control a situation and surrender it to God. Yet, God shows us when we depend upon Him, He will take care of us, giving us just enough to keep on going. And, He might just use the most unusual ways to do it. (But, if a bird shows up saying “Nevermore”, run away. Stat.)

Just about the time Elijah was getting used to his personal Door Dash each day, his water supply dried up. It was time to rise up and follow God, trusting His lead and provision.

Elijah’s journey wasn’t over – it was just getting started. This was a walk of faith that was activated by a decision to follow God, no matter what.

Is it a fight to follow God? You bet.

But, as we see with Elijah, it’s worth the fight. It’s when God shows up and does the impossible.