Faith When the Brook Runs Dry

In a world that often feels like it’s spiraling out of control—where tragedy, violence, and uncertainty dominate the headlines—it’s natural to wonder: Where is God in all of this?

School shootings. Assassinations. The lingering effects of trauma. These moments can leave us feeling unsettled and fearful. But what if, even in the darkest seasons, God is not only at work in the world, but also in our hearts?

The prophet Elijah lived in the 9th century BC, a time filled with corruption, violence, and evil rulers. Yet, in the middle of this chaos, God raised up an ordinary man from an ordinary place to display His extraordinary power.

James 5:17-18 reminds us:

“Elijah was a human being, even as we are.”

This is such good news! Elijah wasn’t superhuman. He wrestled with doubts, fears, and challenges—just like we do. But his life shows us that God works both through us and within us, shaping us for His greater purposes.

Elijah’s journey begins with a bold proclamation of drought. God then instructs him to hide at the Kerith Ravine, where ravens miraculously feed him, and he drinks from the brook.

But then something surprising happens: the brook dries up.

Why would God let that happen?
Because sometimes God strips away our security to test our dependence on Him.

It’s easy to have faith when everything is going smoothly. But real faith is tested in scarcity, in uncertainty, and in those moments when we feel like our “brook” has run dry.

From there, God sends Elijah to Zarephath, a foreign land where Baal was worshipped. This command must have felt confusing—why would God send him into enemy territory?

Yet Elijah obeyed. And there he met a widow preparing what she thought would be her last meal. God asked her to take a radical step of faith by feeding Elijah first.

Her obedience opened the door to a miracle:
The jar of flour and jug of oil never ran out.

Here’s the challenge for us:

How often do we miss God’s blessings because we’re unwilling to take the first step of faith?

The story takes another turn when the widow’s son dies. In her grief, she lashes out at Elijah, and Elijah himself struggles to understand what God is doing.

But through prayer, the boy’s life is restored.

This moment reminds us:

• God’s work often leaves us confused before it leaves us amazed.
• Faith isn’t smooth or predictable—it’s full of doubt, fear, and wrestling with God.
• Yet, it’s in those very struggles that our faith deepens and our view of God expands.

Elijah’s story is more than an ancient tale—it’s a mirror for our own faith journey. Here are some truths to carry with us:

• God is always working—even when we can’t see it.
• Trials refine us—they build our character and faith.
• Obedience matters—God often calls us to take a step before revealing His full plan.
• Our faith impacts others—sometimes in ways we don’t expect.
• God’s ways may confuse us, but His purposes are always good.

In a chaotic world, we can take heart: God is still at work.
He is ahead of us, preparing the way.
He is around us, weaving His plan.
And most importantly, He is within us, strengthening our faith.

Like Elijah, we’re called to:

• Trust God even when the brook runs dry.
• Obey even when the destination is unclear.
• Believe in His provision even when hope seems gone.

It’s in these seasons of testing that we discover the depth of our faith—and the unshakable faithfulness of our God.

This is just a glimpse of Elijah’s journey. To hear the full message and explore how these truths apply to your life, watch the full sermon here: Faith Test in Tough Times.