When the brook dries up

Why is it that someone who was doing well before starts to stagnate and struggle. Why do businesses and even ministries dry up? Why is it that many people are stranded? Most importantly what can one do to change the situation?

The prophet Elijah was led to the Brook Cherit by God but the brook dried up after some time. Look at what happened:1Kings 17:8-9, “And the word of the LORD came unto him, saying, [9] Arise, get thee to Zarephath, which belongeth to Zidon, and dwell there: behold, I have commanded a widow woman there to sustain thee.” Go to God for new direction and help when things stop working well. 

Things got bad because the brook dried up. 1Kings 17:7, “And it came to pass after a while, that the brook dried up, because there had been no rain in the land.” 

In John 2:1-10, we see a similar situation in which wine finished at a wedding that Jesus was attending.

Someone said that the only thing that is permanent is change. Not all things change but change is often necessary for progress. God directed the prophet Elijah to the Brook Cherith to sustain him during the famine. But the brook dried up. 

How can the brook dry up when God was the one who directed him to the place? God knew and had another plan. 

If you are going to win, you will have to make some assessment and adjustment for optimum performance.

CRISIS may be the signal for change. That it worked yesterday does not mean it will work today.

7 Steps t take when the brook dries up

1. Remain calm. “Be still and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10. Panicking and fretting will not allow you to hear His voice.

2. Recognize your PROVIDER and give Him thanks for His faithfulness. Don’t complain or be perplexed. The brook dried up but your Source did not. God is your Source not the brook. Many people get so attached to the provision and forget the PROVIDER. My provision may run out but not my PROVIDER. He is inexhaustible. 

3. Pray and obtain a new strategy. “5Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. [6] In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”  Proverbs 3:5-6. What you think is a crisis is a birthplace. What you think is a conclusion is a beginning. What you thought was a stumbling block can become a stepping stone. THE GOAL WAS TO PRESERVE ELIJAH, not the brook. God does not change the GOAL but He might change the STRATEGY. God has more than a million ways of preserving and prospering you. Elijah had to get the next direction if he was to survive. What got you to where you are is not necessarily what will get you to where you are going. When one road closes, God opens another one. What changes do you need to make now? God gives us something better all the time. The city was more comfortable than the wilderness. Do not resist when God is trying to move you up. Those who resist change remain chained. Stagnation is the consequence of failing to make alterations. Isaiah 43:18-19, “18Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old. [19] Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.” I see God opening new doors of opportunities for someone!

4. Follow His lead. “Whatsoever He says to you, do it!” John 2:5. This was the counsel of Mary the mother of Jesus to the hosts at the wedding when wine finished. You are one instruction away from your miracle. Your miracle is in your obedience. What has the Lord been telling you to do? Do it now and your breakthrough will spring forth!

5. Speak your goal. Remember your miracle begins in your mouth. Your enemy reacts to your words. He will believe whatever you tell him. Eliminate victim conversation. Feed faith-words into his ears and he will be demoralized. Talk like a victim and he will be encouraged to attack you. Let your words create the current that sweeps you into the heart of God. “For by thy words thou shalt be justified and by thy words thou shall be condemned.” Matthew 12:37

6. Sow a seed for your miracle. God never allows the enemy to take your instrument of recovery. What is left in your hand is the key to your recovery. Don’t despise it, sow it!

7. Dance your way to your miracle. Faith is celebrating the faithfulness and integrity of God even before your miracle manifests. Faith is celebrating the invisible before it becomes visible. Worship is celebrating the greatness and majesty of the Almighty God.

The dance and the blank cheque

Matthew 14:6-11 “6But when Herod’s birthday was kept, the daughter of Herodias danced before them, and pleased Herod. [7] Whereupon he promised with an oath to give her whatsoever she would ask.[8] And she, being before instructed of her mother, said, Give me here John Baptist’s head in a charger. [9] And the king was sorry: nevertheless for the oath’s sake, and them which sat with him at meat, he commanded it to be given her. [10] And he sent, and beheaded John in the prison. [11] And his head was brought in a charger, and given to the damsel: and she brought it to her mother.”

Her mother knew the King and anticipated that he will be pleased with her daughter’s dance. She anticipated the reward and so prepared her for it. She danced before the king. She must have danced with all her heart.  

King Herod was so thrilled he promised with an oath to give her whatever she asked up to half of the Kingdom. 

Every successful prayer is accompanied with praise.

Do you need help? Settle it with praise! Come before his throne with praise and thanksgiving. 

Queen Esther prepared a banquet for the king before making her request. Give God a PRAISE BANQUET before presenting your request; it will be a walk over. She did not need to talk much after that.

Your brook may have dried up but God is moving you to a better place where his provisions await you. You will finish this year strong and on a note of celebration. God is working out your exemption from hunger and lack. I see you celebrating soon. Welcome to your season of fullness. 

Bishop Dr. Charles Olowojoba is the General Overseer

of Dayspring Bible Church Worldwide with HQ in Abuja, Nigeria

& President, Dayspring Christian Ministries Int’l.

Website: www.dayspringcmi.org

e-mail: [email protected]

Help line: 08035150515