Hello! I’m Reggie, and I’m a Raven - a very important Raven, because I, and my brothers and sisters, were given something very important to do.
I can remember it as if it were only yesterday instead of years ago - well, you always remember VERY IMPORTANT things don’t you?
Let me tell you about it.
We live near the River Jordan, actually beside a little brook which runs into the river, the brook Cherith it is called. What a beautiful place it is. We love living there. Nothing very special ever happens, but it suits us.
One day, however, a man came and sat beside the brook. This was unusual, so we chatted amongst ourselves wondering what he was doing there.
‘He looks as if he is hiding’ someone said.
‘Now why do you think that?’ I asked, feeling rather surprised.
‘Well, who else, apart from us, would want to come here?’ he laughed, and all the rest joined in - what a noise!
‘Well, I think he looks rather “special” I said firmly.
And I was right!
Later that night when we were resting on the branches, my eldest brother called 'Prayer time now' so we quietened down, and were just about to begin talking to our Father in Heaven when - HE SPOKE TO US!
‘You see that man down there?’ He asked.
‘Yes’ we answered.
‘He is a very special person’ God said.
I looked at my brothers and sisters and preened myself proudly.
‘You see’ I whispered - ‘I WAS right.’
‘Yes, you were right’ came God’s voice.
Now the others chuckled as I looked very embarrassed.
‘He is my Prophet’ God continued, ‘And you were right too - he is hiding here.’
Now it was my brother’s turn to look pleased with himself.
‘And now I want you all to do a very important thing for me and my Prophet Elijah’ God said.
We all became very excited then, and what a chattering started. Some important work to do for God and for Elijah His Prophet - whatever could it be?
‘Ssh!’ said God. ‘Listen, and I will tell you.’
God then explained that Elijah would be staying at the brook for a long time, and we were to feed him. We felt honoured to be asked to do this important work, but rather surprised too! You see, many people think we are greedy birds, but I would rather say that we have good appetites, and enjoy our food!
What really matters, though, is that God chose US. He wanted US to do His work, and that’s the really important thing, isn’t it?
So God instructed us to take Elijah bread and meat every morning and evening.
Now you may be wondering where and how did we get this food. Ah! That is our secret. That is between our Heavenly Father and us. I can’t tell you everything - can I?
Was it heavy for us to carry may be your next question.
No, not really, we are quite big birds you know. When we stretch our wings they measure a full metre from tip to tip. So you can see how strong we are.
It was a lot of work, but we enjoyed doing it. It gave us a lovely feeling to know we were doing God’s work, and pleasing Him. Also Elijah became our friend. He appreciated everything we did for him, and we often sat beside him to keep him company. He would have been very lonely if it had not been for our visits.
Oh! I nearly forgot to telll you - we fed Elijah for three and a half years! A very long time.
And then the day came when the brook dried up, so there was no more water for Elijah to drink. This did not come as a surprise to us as there had been no rain for over three years. In fact Elijah had told King Ahab there would be no rain until he, Elijah, said so! Of course God had told Elijah to say this as the king and his family had all turned away from God, and were behaving in a very wicked way.
So Elijah said Good-bye to us, and thanked us for all our help and friendship. We were so sad to see him go. In fact we followed him for quite a long way until he said ‘Go back home, my friends, I shall be all right.’ So we sadly returned home.
Elijah then went to live in a village near the city of Sidon, and he performed two wonderful miracles there.
How do we know? Because we have lots of relatives and friends who live in many different places, and they told us the exciting news the last time we saw them.
Do I hear you asking ‘Miracles? What miracles? Tell us please.’
Ah, my friends, that, as they say, is another story!
Elizabeth Aynsley ©
1st Kings 17 vs. 1 - 6