What Caused the 40?

Read

Read 1 Kings 17:1–7 slowly.

1 Kings 17:1–3

1 Now Elijah the Tishbite, from the Gilead settlers, said to Ahab, “As the Lord God of Israel lives, in whose presence I stand, there will be no dew or rain during these years except by my command!” 2 Then the word of the Lord came to him: 3 “Leave here, turn eastward, and hide yourself by the Wadi Cherith where it enters the Jordan.”

1 Kings 17:5–7

5 So he proceeded to do what the Lord commanded. Elijah left and lived by the Wadi Cherith where it enters the Jordan. 6 The ravens kept bringing him bread and meat in the morning and in the evening, and he drank from the wadi. 7 After a while, the wadi dried up because there had been no rain in the land.

As you read, notice how Elijah’s story begins. It starts in drought, isolation, and confrontation. Elijah suddenly appears and boldly proclaims judgment against a rebellious king and nation: no rain.

Then immediately after speaking publicly, he is sent away privately. God tells him to hide.

Elijah’s life quickly becomes marked by loneliness, uncertainty, and dependence on God. Ravens bring him food. A brook provides water. And eventually even the brook dries up.

Reflect

What stands out early in Elijah’s story is that obedience to God did not immediately lead to comfort or ease. In fact, obedience placed Elijah directly into hardship, isolation, and dependence.

That can feel confusing for us because we often assume that if we are following God faithfully, things should become easier or more stable. But Elijah’s story reminds us that obedience can sometimes lead us into difficult seasons before it leads us out of them.

The drought affected everyone, including Elijah.

Yet in the middle of the drought, God still provided. Ravens brought food. Water came from the brook. Later, God would provide through a widow and her son. Even in isolation, Elijah was not abandoned.

That’s important because our “40” seasons often begin the same way. Circumstances change. Stability dries up. We feel hidden, uncertain, or alone. And in those moments, it can become difficult to recognize that God is still present and still providing.

But what was true for Elijah is still true for us.

God was present in the drought.

God was present in the isolation.

And God was present when the brook dried up.

Respond

Think about a season in your life where things felt uncertain, unstable, or isolating.

How did that season affect your trust in God?

Were there ways God was providing for you that you didn’t fully recognize until later?

Write honestly about what comes to mind.

Pray

Lord, help me trust You in seasons where life feels uncertain or dry. When I feel isolated, unstable, or overwhelmed, remind me that Your presence has not left me. Help me recognize the ways You are still providing, even when circumstances feel difficult. Teach me to depend on You daily and to trust You even when I cannot clearly see what You are doing. Amen.

Prepare for Day 2

Tomorrow we will look at the confrontation on Mount Carmel and what happens when God responds in power before a divided people.