Is the God of the ravens still our God today?
Elisha’s heart was heavy as he accompanied Elijah across the Jordan River on the day when God would take Elijah away. When they came to the Jordan, Elijah took his cloak and struck the water. The river parted before them and they both went across. Then Elisha watched in amazement as Elijah was taken up into heaven. His leader, his mentor, was gone and he had an inexpressible sense of loss. But Elijah’s cloak was left behind and God’s ministry must go on.
Elisha retraced his steps to the Jordan. He stood before the water, raised the mantle and struck the Jordan with it, crying out, “Where is the Lord God of Elijah?” (2 Ki. 2:14). The waters divided and Elisha passed over.
The God of Elijah was still present in power and He became the God of Elisha. The God of Elijah was a God of great power who did miracles through His servant. He was a God who fed him first by the ravens, then through a poor widow, during those terrible years of famine and drought. He was also the God who sent rain in answer to the prayers of Elijah (Jas. 5:17-18). No wonder Elisha was impressed with the God of Elijah and desired Him to be his God as well.
Where is the God of Elijah today? It is granted that God does not always act the same way. Some prophets worked miracles, such as Elijah and Elisha. Others were preaching or writing prophets, such as Isaiah and Jeremiah, performing no miracles. But all believed in the God of Elijah and knew His provision for their personal needs.
About 175 years ago there was a tremendous revival of interest in the simplicity of the early church structure in England and Ireland, as well as some other parts of the world. The state church at that time was characterized by spiritual deadness and was supported by government taxes. Brethren became burdened to see churches begun that would emphasize the priesthood of all believers, with open worship, and the opportunity for spiritual gifts to develop. They rejected the concept of clergy and laity. They also realized the need for faith in those who would serve the Lord. They studied the example of Christ and His disciples and saw them serving God without salaries or guaranteed support. They believed God could still lead His people to support His work without salaries or pledges. This left God’s servants free from the control of men (Gal. 1:10).
George Müller of Bristol became one of those men who believed in the God of Elijah. In March of 1829, he came to England to study in a seminary of the London Jews Society, hoping to become a missionary to the Jews. Earlier, in 1826, he had visited the Orphan House in Halle built by A. H. Franke, who had died in 1727. It was an institution operated on a faith basis. This left a lasting impression on him. Later Müller wrote,
Soon after my arrival in England, I heard one of the brethren in the seminary speak about a Mr. Groves, a dentist of Exeter, who, for the Lord’s sake, had given up his profession, which brought him in about fifteen hundred pounds a year, and was intending to go as a missionary to Persia, with his wife and children, simply trusting in the Lord for temporal supplies. This made such an impression on me, and delighted me so, that I not only marked it down in my journal, but also wrote about it to my German friends” (Anthony Norris Groves by G. H. Lang, p. 14).
Müller was so taken by this concept of faith that on December 12, 1829, he left the Society because of his conviction about the Scriptures. He determined to serve God under His immediate direction and to trust Him for all of His temporal needs. He was drawn to Groves’ family and the next year, October 7, 1830, he married Mary Groves, A. N. Groves’ sister. Groves’ faith excited him and inspired him. In 1835, he accompanied Groves on a tour of Germany.
Henry Craik was a godly teacher with whom Müller worked for thirty-six years and who also greatly influenced him. They were kindred spirits in their pursuit of New Testament church truths. Müller had a burden for orphans and built up a tremendous work which at times housed over 2,000 orphans. He is known for his faith, supporting the work by prayer, refusing to solicit funds, and trusting God alone. The story of his faith is exciting and inspiring.
Many workers caught this vision of serving God by faith, and assemblies prayed and gave to support the Lord’s work. A missionary work was begun from assemblies which girdled the world and continues to this day.
Hudson Taylor caught this vision also when he founded the China Inland Mission. Many so-called faith missions came into being later. Their policy was not to mention needs and not to solicit funds. Workers could tell of their work but then should allow God to exercise hearts to give. Some seminaries, such as Dallas Theological Seminary, adopted this same approach in their early days.
But the winds have changed. Some today even ridicule Müller and the faith principle for God’s work. Of course, most churches through the years have been very open about asking for funds and most preachers are salaried men. And some who once followed such a pathway of faith are changing their thinking. It is hard not to be envious: Look at some of these organizations and the funds they raise. Look at their big buildings. Observe how the megachurches seem to prosper. And so we see mission organizations abandoning that faith position and scrambling for the evangelical dollar. Some spend a third of their budget on promotion and solicitation.
Sad to say, some assemblies are yielding to the temptation. Home workers are being salaried and overseas workers are tempted to be more bold about asking for funds. Shame on us! Elisha cried, “Where is the Lord God of Elijah?” We might cry, “Where is the God of A. N. Groves? Where is the God of George Müller? Where is the God who has sustained His servants in years past? Where is the God who gets glory for Himself by providing the needs of His servants? Where is the God who provided for the temporal needs of our Lord Jesus and His apostles?” May God give us a fresh vision of faith for His work. Our God is the God of Elijah.