Caught Off-Guard

1 Kings 19:3a

Elijah was afraid and ran for his life.

My boy loves Sunday mornings - - minus the waking up part :> He knows it’s the special day in the week marked with pancake breakfast, best clothes, and going to Kiddiepointe – the Sunday School here. Nah, he’s not after the singing, or the bible stories, or being with other kids. What attract him most are the craft materials within his reach and how he can make dinosaurs out of it: clay, clips, colored papers, crayons, etc. And since SM is just across the street, we often stroll around - and stop for toys - just before heading home. Last Sunday was another happy time for him. He can’t wait to culminate his morning with the doughnuts we bought from the stall. Walking ahead of us towards the gate - carefree and proud - all of a sudden, the neighbor’s dog appeared. So did his fears. The cheerful morning was forgotten and his anticipated afternoon, like him, froze to death. It took us quite awhile to thaw him, haha :>

Could it be that Elijah thought Mount Carmel was the culminating part? As God’s persecuted prophet, his journey has quite been on his expected track: provision by faith, change locations, firsthand miracles. He saw God through it all. He believed God will be faithful to see the work completed – that is, the turning back of Israel from sin, and to Him. Elijah was elated seeing Israel confess ‘The Lord, He is God’. He probably was in tears when God showered the cracked land with rain. Finally! It was worth all his sufferings and sacrifices. He ran all the way to Jezreel as a free man. His thoughts could be his next assignment or a good rest at least. ‘Anything!’ His heart was just so full and overflowing. The last thing he expected was to receive a death threat from the queen. All of a sudden, the glorious past and the great future were eaten up by the gruesome present. His confidence crumbled, his faith faltered, and his hopes gone. He ran for his life. First to Judah then to the desert. But neither could guarantee his safety. His heart was frozen and longing for death. No one would ever believe he was the same, brave prophet just days ago.

1 Corinthians 10:12 warns us with this: ‘If you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall!’. In reference to Elijah, it was his high hopes that his ministry was finally in fruition. That what’s next to God’s great work in Carmel will be greater still. He was caught off guard and self-absorbed. Ahab was not the only who easily forgot God’s power over creation. How many times have we seen and praised God for granting us success in the workplace but worry the next day when sickness befalls our family?  We’d better take it if the scenario has always been low and sobering - - for the prayer posture was still bent and accustomed. The moment we’re brought uphill and down again, how come we feel disillusioned and betrayed? Are we angry because He did not continue His good work? From whose vantage point? If Elijah kept his discipline, Jezebel’s bark would not threaten him. The 95 miles ran was unnecessary. Like Peter, he was already walking on water, towards Jesus, but still he looked elsewhere. How’s your gaze?

‘Til God Says Go

1 Kings 18:43, 44a

‘Go and look toward the sea,’ he told his servant. And he went up and looked. ‘There is nothing there,’ he said. Seven times Elijah said, ‘Go back.’ The seventh time the servant reported, ‘A cloud as small as a man’s hand is rising from the sea.’ Elijah said, ‘Go and tell Ahab, ‘Hitch up your chariot and go down before the rain stops you.’

When Tris courted me a decade ago, I asked the Lord for two things to confirm if he’s really the one I’ve been long praying for. He’s a godly man and my feelings then were already inclined to the idea. But with a heartbreaking relationship prior his coming, I was extra mindful hearing God’s yes first before giving mine. First I asked the Lord that my family would approve of him. Tris was able to earn that when he personally sought their permission to pursue me. If you know my dad, you’d say it was a miracle :> Second was to hear it from God’s word. Of course I wasn’t expecting to find his name written there. But God is faithful. He was able to use a proverb to point it to him. God orchestrated a three-month difference between the two confirmations. It was faith stretching to wait for His final go even if my heart’s already way ahead. Praise God for His grace to obey. It wouldn’t have been this beautiful any other way. His pleasure made it so much worth the wait.  :>

After the grand battle at Mount Carmel, Elijah had the Baal prophets brought down to the Kishon Valley and slaughtered there. Then he instructed Ahab to end his fast for heavy rain is next to come. Elijah said he heard the sound of it, but both their eyes saw the clear sky.  He climbed back to the mountain and there prayed for rain to come. He knew it was coming. God promised it. But it took seven days for his servant to finally see a small cloud from the sea. Seven days before he instructed Ahab to rush back to Jezreel. I mean why can’t it be just a one time prayer like the last fire from heaven? Or at least knowing exactly how many days before the rain. That would have saved a lot of his praying energy and his servant, a week of weather-watching. And why not wow the public one more time? Immediate rainshowers would sure bring result to much rejoicing in the land. Yup, thanksgiving. But not much faith. One fire did move them to repentance. Seven days and they’d reform their ways. God was bringing them back to a lifestyle of dependence and faith - - to once again call upon His Name and seek His favor.  As for Elijah, agree with me that it’s more to God glory to see His prophet more on his knees than performing wonders. That he too needed grace like the rest of us. That he too patiently waited for God’s answers. No one is too spiritual, or special, to be exempt from such disciplines, even testing.

It’s one thing to know God’s will, it’s another to wait for His schedule, for His go signal. He is God, not us. It is always His call. That’s what His Lordship means. We may have good and godly ideas, biblical and mature prayer items, but without His signed confirmations, we’re still on hold. David could have pursued building the Temple. It was for God’s Name and glory. But his project was marked ‘postponed’.  Even Jesus submitted to the Father’s timetable in his lifetime and ministry. He did not rush being called the Christ. He submitted to the same spiritual disciplines, even testing.   Good deeds without God’s go can never be God-glorifying.  So let’s not rush our moving. Let’s not gloom over waiting. He has set everything beautiful in His time. He sees eternity past and future, so that at His appointed present, when He unfolds it finally, we’ll sure agree, ‘It’s all worth the wait’.

Ruins Revisited

1 Kings 18:30

Then Elijah said to all the people, "Come here to me." They came to him, and he repaired the altar of the LORD, which was in ruins.

My mother is one very sentimental person. She keeps memorabilia of days old, from newspaper clippings to baby cloth diapers, to even our umbilical cords. One fond memory her siblings shared with us was during a big fire in the early 70s and all my mom picked up to save was her box of photo albums. They were laughing hard remembering how our grandmother was so furious in disbelief.  ‘You could have at least grabbed a pot with those photos!’ were my lola’s words, hahaha :> Only now did they appreciate her ‘passion’ whenever they come home from abroad and my mom will show their kids those sepia shots, with once-upon-a-time subtitles of course. That’s ‘history comes alive’ to us :>

After the prophets of Baal failed to call down fire, all eyes were on Elijah. It was his turn to prove his God, is THE God. He called everyone closer so as not to miss a detail. They saw him approach a ruined structure. It was an old altar. Probably from the days of the Judges. It was smashed down, neglected, and forgotten. Next they saw Elijah take twelve stones and with those, he built an altar. Now they became nostalgic. Surely they heard of Joshua and that great story when the rushing waters of Jordan was cut off for all Israel to pass and claim the promise land. It was said that their fathers took twelve stones from there, one for each of the twelve tribes. History would have regarded it as their glory years. Their nationalistic pride was stirring now.  When they heard Elijah pray to the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, it struck a chord that shook their hearts to the core. ‘ISRAEL! That’s Us!’ Suddenly, stories of God’s deliverance from Moses’ time in Egypt to David’s great victories over the Philistines and the Canaanites nations came back to life. So that finally, when God answered with fire from heaven, they fell prostrate and cried, ‘The Lord- He is God!’  They were actually the ruins which God rebuilt and revived anew!

Do you have stories of old? Stories when God delivered you from sure troubles and insane people? Stories of timely provisions, of miraculous healing, of answered prayers? Have you kept them down deep, far from reach, and buried in rust and ruins? Then you go about life and wonder why it seems so stagnant and running in circles. You paddle harder and cry louder, but it seems prayers were stuck in that ceiling. You slash your skins day in and out and yet there’s still no fire in your heart, no passion to move on. Elijah said ‘Come closer. Look.’ There you’ll see your worship of God in ruins. When was the last time you prayed? When did you last sought God’s forgiveness? When was the last time you died to yourself and surrendered to His Lordship? Call unto Him. The One true God. He alone can turn your ruins and set your life ablaze again.  Make His-story come alive now!

Don't Change Channels

1 Kings:18:21

Elijah went before the people and said, ‘How long will you waver between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if Baal is God, follow him.’

Growing up in my mom’s ancestral home with just one television set for sixteen people was a heartbreaker. The big boys – my lolo, my uncles, plus my dad of course – and their sports channel reigned T-Th-F and Sundays. The big girls and their afternoon telenovelas were my other competition. Sometimes, they’d allow my cartoon network in between commercial breaks. It’s usually the time I’d pray hard they wouldn’t notice time. The frustration comes when both shows have their ads simultaneously and in our clicking channels every so often, one either missed a crucial peak or a momentous ending. At a young age, I’ve learned that peace and satisfaction only comes when one submits fully to the other. Since both couldn’t enjoy a half-show, I, then, bitterly accepted my Saturday lot. It may just be a day for me, but at least I have the tube all by myself.

When Elijah came face to face with Ahab and the northern kingdom, this was his opening statement: you cannot keep serving two gods. On one foot, these people submitted to the king and queen’s idolatry for it was trending and compulsory. Their other toe, however, was still clinging to their traditions and identity being seeds of Jacob. Elijah called them limps, or like birds hopping from one branch to another. They were mixing religions and in the process, pleasing none. God wouldn’t share seat with another. For there is no another. He wouldn’t accept half-hearted, half-devoted worship. For it wouldn’t be worship at all. Once and for all, Elijah called them for a decision. ‘Choose a God - not out of preference or popularity – but choose Him WHO IS God, then follow Him’.

Everyday, we come face to face with decisions and we hear voices left and right urging us that theirs is the best way in.  We have our parents and their years of care; our peers and their utmost loyalty; our teachers and bosses with their professional counsel; the social media and their latest inputs; and, yes our resume and what experience taught us. But is there anyone with God-credentials there? Anybody able to bring fire from heaven? Our frustration in life comes because we depend on people who like us are imperfect and limited. We cannot expect them to fill our every need because they are not God. We all wished for a perfect mate: someone who’s there for us 24/7; who know us inside out and would love us unconditionally; a doctor would be ideal for health purposes, or a lawyer maybe, to defend us; better if that someone would go out with us in nature trips, or stay all night hearing our complaints and bitter cries; best if he’d grow old with us so we don’t have to be alone again. You can add up more to this list, and the longer it gets, the more impossible you’d ever find all in a single person. Because they are not God. He alone is able to do all, and much more. But He is a jealous God. He calls for total, complete, undivided devotion. He is either your Lord of all or not at all. Don’t allot Him your commercial break for He deserves a full show. No changing channels. No peeks in between. That’s for your peace and satisfaction. And everyone else’s :>

A Troubler?

1 Kings 18:17-18

When he saw Elijah, he said to him, ‘Is that you, you troubler of Israel?’ ‘I have not made trouble for Israel,’ Elijah replied. ‘But you have abandoned the Lord’s commands and have followed the Baals.’

A visiting friend recently encouraged me to find a copy and watch the 2000 film Chocolat. Intrigued and with Johnny Depp in the cast, Tris and I watched it the other night, with a box of chocolates of course.  The story tells of a young mother and her six year old daughter arriving to a very conservative, by-the-book French town and opened a small chocolaterie during the forty days of Lent.  Her alluring treats soon opened ways for friendships with miserable women and dull couples, thus attracted more controversies. The village mayor regarded her as immoral and rallied the whole town to boycott her sweets. She may have no intention of troubling the people there, but they became troubled nonetheless.   

Troubler of Israel. That was how Ahab addressed Elijah when they came face to face again. To him, this prophet is to blame for the severe famine in the land. Three and a half years and he could have instead pursued grander visions for his name and kingdom. But all came to a halt at Elijah’s word. But t’was not Elijah’s fault. The royal family’s idolatry, causing all Israel to sin, was what paved the way for God’s punishment. Sadly though, no one saw it on that light. Maybe like that small French town, they felt they were doing okay. And so when their known-peace felt trouble, it was more likely someone caused it from the outside.  After all, it’s always easier to name names and play blame games. Three and a half years and they never saw their sins causing all these.  Ahab spent those years hunting down Elijah. He could have instead summoned the people for a day of repentance and God would hear it. Maybe another month to burn down poles and high places and surely God will order the heavens to shower them with rain. Exodus was supposedly just a 40-day journey. Sin stretched it to 40 years. Do we really want longer routes?

A person of integrity and godliness will surely trouble the hearts of sinning people around him. Some will try to edit their wild stories or minimize their cursing the moment you come in. Make a God-mention and you’d soon feel their distance or see a raised eyebrow, and worse, not be welcomed anymore.  To them, you’re Ms. KJ and Mr. Not-Cool Guy. The disrupter of their fun nights and their parents in disguise. It should be the case. God’s presence in us should trouble them to the core. But is it happening? How many Christians were caught surprised to find a schoolmate or an officemate also a believer? Aren’t we supposed to be salt and light and not secret agents?  Just be sure we’re offending them right. A stumbling block is definitely far different from a signal light :>

Proud of You

1 Kings 18:2b-4

Now the famine was severe in Samaria, and Ahab had summoned Obadiah, who was in charge of his palace. (Obadiah was a devout believer in the LORD. While Jezebel was killing off the LORD's prophets, Obadiah had taken a hundred prophets and hidden them in two caves, fifty in each, and had supplied them with food and water.).

We have a world-class furniture designer, an anchor at BBC News , a couturier of red carpet gowns, an executive chef in the White House, a singer's album making it to Billboard’s top 10, and of course, the number one pound-for-pound boxer. These Pinoys do make us proud. They inspire us to think big and go big because they are living proof that it is possible. Cobonpue’s failed entrance exam caused him to spend a semester just learning how to draw; Hizon also went through plain camera work and writing scripts; Lhuillier’s sketched her own bridal gown, because she can’t find any, and gave birth to that entire line; Comerford grew up cooking for her thirteen-member family; Pempengco was a wildcard contender placing third in Little Big Star; and Pacquiao was a highschool dropout who started boxing at age 16. Somewhere in the middle of their humble beginnings and their renowned success is what we call hardwork.  We can argue that they were already gifted. But it did not stop them for going better.

Amidst the severe famine in all Israel, a personality came to rise and brought hope to the remnant-believers there.  His name was Obadiah and his position was palace in charge. He was a devout believer since his youth. I could imagine the quiet rejoicing of all God-worshippers seeing a brother in such prominence. King Ahab’s wife, Jezebel, was in the business of killing off the prophets in the land, which was also why the Lord kept Elijah meantime. Seeing Obadiah spared and still serving in the palace was a breather. His position allowed him to be able to save a hundred prophets by hiding and supplying them with food in caves. The king may have known this man’s religious inclinations, but with his excellent performance and trustworthiness, it will be more to Ahab’s loss to dismiss him from service. He chose no other man but him to tag along in finding solutions to the country’s condition. And although death awaits those who seem to have sided with Elijah, Ahab gave no comment, no sign of suspicion when Obadiah told him of the prophet’s arrival.  His resume may have been his entry point to the palace, but it was his reputation that kept him there.

Colossians 3:23 says ‘Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men’. Obadiah had an excuse of having ungodly, cruel bosses to work with.  Some would repay that with mediocrity and complaints, others would give in and compromise, but he chose to excel for God glory. He was proof to us that it is possible to be a Christian in an ungodly workplace. That God will see our diligence rewarded with respect and confidence. Gary Valenciano proved his caliber and his unquestionable integrity and it opened a platform for him to sing and speak of his love for God on national television. I may have his heart but without his skills, who’d hear me out? Personalities worked hard to have their names ring a bell. Shouldn’t we strive harder for God’s Name? Joseph did it. Daniel too. We hope to hear your name’s next. You’ll sure make Him proud, yey!

VIP Treatment

1 Kings 17:11

He called to the LORD and said, "O LORD my God, have You also brought calamity to the widow with whom I am staying, by causing her son to die?"

When I arranged for my parents’ visit in Cebu, one of the main concerns was how to literally transport my dad here. For a handful of years now, he’s been having difficulty standing and walking for long periods of time. He even has a standby high chair in church when he’s preaching.  It was a relief to know that the airline has a wheelchair service at request. And so I made the call. Next issue was to convince my dad to sit there. Good thing my brother’s coming with them. His down syndrome could be my dad’s excuse if his pride creeps in.  When they finally got here, my parents told me how glad they were for that wheelchair. They felt like VIPs skipping all check-in lines and being assisted to their seats. Now I doubt if my dad will ever resist taking that service again :>

Taking in a prophet in her house could be her wisest step of faith ever. This widow of Zarephath was assisting God’s VIP and so was receiving unlimited provisions by just being near him.  Famine was throughout Israel’s land, stretching even in Sidon, and her house could be the only place where fear was not found. I imagine her more accommodating than ever, kinder than ever to Elijah. I’m sure her thought-balloon was for him to stay in her upper room forever :> All of a sudden, his son became ill and grew worse and worse and finally stopped breathing. That was unexpected. With her faith and kindness and Elijah there, shouldn’t she be immuned from any harm? She was understandably disoriented and disappointed. Elijah had no answers for her either. But he did not attempt to give her any just for comfort’s sake.  All he knew was God has His reasons. And only to God he directly asked and pleaded.

We all tried to delight ourselves in the Lord and seek first His kingdom in the hope that He will give the desires of our hearts and the ‘…all these things shall be added unto you’.  We hold on to His word that obedience has His blessings and service has its rewards. And so we pursue it. Then comes the storm and suffering and we wonder why. ‘Was it my past sins Lord?’ ‘Have I done something to harm Your people?’. Exactly the words of the widow. And sometimes we won’t have logical answers. God’s operating process is unlike any human equations. Even His prophets were not exempt from famines and pains. Most of the time, their paths even leads there. But it doesn’t mean He discredited their faithfulness. It was more because it will bring more glory to Him. Imagine if God only looked upon the widow’s cry or Mary and Martha’s or the disciples’? Isn’t raising people from the dead worth more rejoicing and praising God than plain healing? Let go of that VIP treatment expectation. Isn’t knowing and soon being with the ultimate VIP far outweighs them all?  

My Last Bread?

1 Kings 17:11

As she was going to get it, he called, "And bring me, please, a piece of bread."

Friday nights are family nights for us. I usually cook a more special dinner, meaning no easy fried or instant thing-ies, haha :> Next stop is what we call ‘Jesus time’. Tris will draw the kids’ ‘thank You Jesus’ items on the whiteboard, we'll read from the kid’s bible and have some bite-sized application, then we’ll close with our prayer requests. Kids know that next is a surprise from their dad before our movietime. Ice cream is the crowd-pleaser here. They’d yell competing for that first spoon. When the who’s-turn has been decided, their noise shifts to having a bigger scoop. But when the pint’s getting close to empty, they’d loudly hope having that last bite. There’s always a loser to this. What’s funny is that they discovered a way of beating it: ‘Dad, chips?’ And we’re back to square one, haha :>

At the height of Israel’s famine, the word of the Lord came to Elijah and asked him to move from the empty brook to a Gentile town, Zarephath. Sidon is the home country of Ahab’s wife and it’s just so out-of-the box to house Elijah there. We all know she’d soon flare up and pursue to kill him. But God’s ways are higher and wiser. He can choose to prepare a table before us in the presence of our enemies and still be protected. Add to that, He can choose an empty table for us and still be provided! What is more amazing is when we move to the widow’s side and hear these words: You have an empty table and I can still provide THROUGH you. Woah! Considering she’s a widow with a son, that’s so faith-stretching. When Elijah first asked her for a drink, we saw her kindheartedness and amidst life’s difficulty, she willingly took that step to help another. Maybe she was really a generous person, but because of scarcity, the most she can offer is her service. Not bad right. But Elijah pushed it, ‘and bread please?’.  I would have cried in  self-pity and Elijah’s seemingly insensitivity here. It was their last meal in this famine. A mother would sacrifice her last for his son but not to a stranger. God knew fears and assured her of His provision. And so she went home and took that step of faith.

For my children, it’s easier to accept not having that last ice cream spoon because they know there’s still chips to look forward to. For this widow, she was willing to give up her final meal because she heard God’s promise to take care of them. They may not have the provisions yet, but faith already saw it coming. The Bible calls us to generosity and sacrifices and it doesn’t have the qualifier that it’s only when we’re full and overflowing. Blessings are from the Lord and not from our hands. When He asks us to give and help, we have to look at His unlimited riches to provide. It is for His glory that thousands are fed from just five loaves and the two fish. The widow’s flour and oil went unlimited too. Let go of your two mites. It may be small. It may be your all. But know that Jesus sees your giving and sure He can open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it :>

Life Is Beautiful

1 Kings 17:9

Go at once to Zarephath of Sidon and stay there. I have commanded a widow in that place to supply you with food.

Ever experienced a day when there’s zero peso in your pocket and there’s no food on the fridge? As a pastor’s kid, I have countless miracle-stories to share. As a designer’s wife, by God’s grace, it trimmed down to one. Well, so far :> It was a Sunday afternoon and our ‘almost’ last money was spent going to and fro church. ‘Almost’ because I kept the last one so Tris could get to work the following day and receive his salary. We chose to rejoice in God regardless and thought of spending dinnertime walking around. ‘Twas our favorite date idea before the kids ‘happened’, haha :> After an hour, our toes brought us to a nearby mall. Fast forward a bit and you’ll find us lined up to a stall offering sample noodles. Another one was calling for another brand. When we went inside the grocery, we were handed with rice toppings and waiting just before the exit were cups of fresh milk. Now if you know me and my husband, you can imagine how my acting skills, and his lack of it, made it all the more enjoyable. We had a great, loud laugh on our way home. Only God can orchestrate such a great date!

Although I’m not sure if Elijah was a man of humor, but just in case he was, he sure would find this chapter amusing. (Just don’t remind him yet that he angered the king and his life’s probably in danger). Yesterday, we found him near a brook and ravens brought him bread and meat, one set in the morning, and one in the evening. How cool is that? Boyscouts would trade their PSPs for such an adventure. Not even Reality TV could copy-paste that.  When the brook dried up, he may have chuckled hearing his next where-to-get-food. “Through a widow? Seriously Lord?”.  And so he went and God did not disappoint his expectations: the jar of flour were not used up and the jug of oil did not run dry. It may not be as feastly as dining with kings, but royalties would sure exchange half their wealth seeing a miracle firsthand (they might call it magic though).  To Israel, the three and a half years of famine was curse. But to Elijah, those were great days of grace.

Oscar’s 71st Best Foreign Language Film “Life is Beautiful’ have the same plot. Beautiful was a forgotten word to those in concentration camps. But Guido managed to give their predicament some light when he told his son it was all competition for a prize of a real tank. Who’d ever read fun along the word N-a-z-i? Guido’s son never had a hint of danger for all he saw was his father’s great performance. He believed him. We too can find laughter amidst penniless pockets. We too can choose to see miracles instead of famine and threats. We have a Father whose performance ranks one. But unlike Guido, God’s word is true.  When He promised provision, we can be sure it’s coming – whether by ravens or through widows. Breathe some air and enjoy a bit of adventure there. If the fridge’s empty, call it a Family Clean-Up Day. If coins are all that’s left, declare a ‘Street Food Race’.  Sure you can invent better events.  Life is beautiful. Because our God Is :>

Ravens, Then and Now

1 Kings 17:4

You will drink from the brook, and I have ordered the ravens to feed you there.

When Grey’s Anatomy turned gray and too relational (instead of medical), we’re just glad to have found House M.D.  Admittedly inspired by Sherlock Holmes, the lead character’s genius wit and funny sarcasm in diagnosing the undiagnosable is just addictive. The last episode we caught was House (Hugh Laurie) finding his six-months-missing-in-action team member Thirteen (Olivia Wilde) coming out of prison. She was fenced in for drugs but her true guilt was for euthanizing her very sick brother.  What is charming in this episode is to surprisingly see the  soft, sympathetic side of House. At the last scene, he assured her of doing the same mercy-killing when Huntington’s hold knocks at her door. But of course it wouldn’t be House without a follow up kick script: “I´d do it now if you want to. I have a baseball bat in the back.” :>

Like House, ravens are better known for its villainous side. They are black and greedy and mean. Moses’ law regarded them unclean and in Proverbs, they are the eye-pickers called to punish rebellious children. They eat the young of other birds and expel their own from their nest. So brute and beastly! And yet in today’s verse, we see them being used by God to twice-a-day feed a major prophet. Picture this: uncaring birds bringing care? omnivorous birds delivering bread and meat? Here’s the highlight: In famine!  So unimaginably impossible! Care to guess why House all of a sudden turned soft in season 7? It was because he found love in Cuddy. Job 38:41says God hears the cry of young ravens and provides for them. Jesus reiterated their value in God’s sight in Luke 12. God loves them and as part of His creation, called them good. They were centerstaged as the first creatures to fly around the newly-washed earth in Noah’s time. And now, He’s performing another miracle through them.  Amazing grace!

Thieving birds. Father of omens. Messengers of death. These names show how ancient people poorly regard ravens. So like how we call some people ‘black sheep’, ‘son of a …’, or ‘dirty tramp’. Our parents call them bad company, teachers expect none from their papers, movies kill them all in the end. And if you’re one of them, you’d soon come to own and believe it was your destiny to fail. But God sees us otherwise. He saw us good when He formed us in our mother’s womb. He watches our going out and lying down. He hears our silent cries and feels our deepest pains. And when all others marked us hopeless, God calls us to serve His purposes, to show men of His grace. Jesus came for us, sinners. His final act on earth was to a thief on a cross. He invited him to eternal life and he received it. Same gift we’re being offered. Take it and soar anew. And when you see other ravens still picking on others’ eyes, don’t label them with names you too once had. Grace is what they need. And soon, His grace they will give:>