"Then the Word of the LORD came to Elijah. "Leave here, turn eastward and hide in the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan. You will drink from the brook, and I have directed the ravens to supply you with food there."
So he did with the LORD told him. He went to the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan, and stayed there. The ravens brought him bread the morning and bread and meat in the evening, and he drank from the brook." [1 Kings 17:2-6]
The ravens brought him bread
Upon the lonely mountain side,
Where shadowed cliffs and dark caves hide;
The prophet rested, worn and weak,
With hollow heart and parchéd cheek.
Beside the brook in Kerith vale,
Where desert winds and shadows pale
Didst sweep across the rugged stone -
Elijah thought himself alone.
Yet God Who formed the earth and sky,
Who hears the smallest sparrow cry -
Spoke softly through the morning air
To creatures of His tender care.
The ravens heard the Lord Most High,
Who guides the eagle when to fly;
They searched the villages around,
Till bread for Elijah they had found.
At break of dawn their wings took flight,
Again they came by fading light;
With morsels borne in beaks so small,
Obeying faithfully God’s own call.
The brook flowed cool beside the cave,
A quiet stream God kindly gave;
Each drop a whisper from above:
“I keep thee in My watchful love.”
O why then do our hearts despair,
And tremble underneath life’s care?
Why fear tomorrow’s unknown way,
When God sustains both night and day?
The Lord Who taught the birds to feed,
Knows every sorrow, want, and need;
The One Who clothed the lilies fair,
Still watches all with patient care.
He speaks to all who live on earth,
All creatures whom His Word gave birth;
Forests, oceans, stars above,
All move according to His Love.
Yet we, who share this world so bright,
Too often wound instead of light;
We scorn the creatures by our side,
Though all in God’s own Hand abide.
The lamb, the raven, deer, and dove,
Were fashioned by the God of Love;
Our neighbours all beneath the sun
Belong unto the Holy One.
Then let us trust as Elijah did,
When all the world from sight was hid;
For even in the darkest cave,
The Lord remembers still to save.
When our hearts grow faint with fear,
May Heaven’s gentle Voice draw near:
“The God Who fed the ravens then,
Will surely care for thee again.”
The poem was inspired by 1 Kings 17:2-26
Image courtesy of ChatGPT with CN Whittle "Prophet and the Ravens"
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