scripture reading: I Kings 17:1–7

The Raven1

 imaginary meditation by the prophet Elijah, lonely, depressed, hungry, and full of doubts, as he sat by the brook Cherith.

Once upon a midnight dreary, I was hungry, tired and weary, Wallowing in my selfish pity there on Cherith’s barren shore; In my stupor, nearly napping, suddenly there came a flapping,
Rapping, tapping (what was happening?)—such noisy clamor I deplore. Tis a raven, nothing more.

“Sir,” said I, “Your presence shocks me, have you come to taunt and mock me? Are you fowl or are you demon? Tell me, tell me I implore.  In this desert of my sorrow, will you rob me of tomorrow?
Reveal to me your dire prediction, shed some light on what’s in store, Dirty bird that I abhor.”

Then the raven, gently flitting, neared the place where I was sitting; He did not speak but in his beak—a gift from heaven’s golden shore!
This pinioned, plumed and darksome beast had brought to me a royal feast: Fresh bread and meat; I ate so much I couldn’t eat a morsel more.  My feathered friend whom I adore!

Ah, distinctly I remember, it was in the bleak December As I struggled with the things in life that made me sore; To the desert God had led me, then with Wonder Bread he fed me, By a bird (it sounds absurd), but listen to what I underscore:  You could never ask for more!

If God is in your desert place, then trust in his unfailing grace. Look around and you will see a bird in your proximity; Who flaps and flutters strangely odd but bears a gift for you from God! He glides down in your painful pit and helps you triumph over it.

1 With gratitude to the prophet Elijah for inspiring the contents of this poem (see I Kings 17:1–7) and to Edgar Allan Poe for inspiring the rhyme and meter (see his classic poem “The Raven”), I offer this little poem to anyone feeling discouraged and forsaken.  So if you do not understand the ways of God with mortal man, And if at home you have a bust of Edgar Allan Poe That sits upon your mantle place and mocks your faith with his dark face . . . Well, throw his poem out the door; and kill his raven “Nevermore.” His bird’s a liar . . . nothing more.

So if you’d like to rise and soar and leave your pit’s dark dusty floor, God has a raven just for you, he’ll come with grace to get you through, And help you face the very worst, he’ll feed your soul and quench your thirst. Listen, listen I implore; God will send a bird once more, And you will thrive—forevermore!

Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take, the clouds ye so much dread are big with mercy and shall break in blessings on your head.
—William Cowper

point to ponder • God has a raven just for you; he’ll come with grace to get you through!

prayer focus • Thank God that in whatever circumstance, he has given you the Bread of Life and the Living Water through Jesus Christ.