Introduction:

Henry Ward Beecher said:
"If one should give me a dish of sand and tell me there were particles of iron in it, I might look for them with my eyes, and search for them with my clumsy fingers, and be unable to detect them; but let me take a magnet and sweep through it, and how would it draw to itself the almost invisible particles by the mere power of attraction! The unthankful heart, like my finger in the sand, discovers no mercies; but let the thankful heart sweep through the day, and as the magnet finds the iron, so it will find in every hour some heavenly blessings; only the iron in God's sand is gold."

Do you have a thankful heart? If so, you will surely find God's blessings. Often, the Old Testament character Elijah had a thankful heart, but sometimes he needed reminders of for what he should be thankful. Looking briefly at some stories from Elijah's life we see God's Provisions for him and for God's children today.

I. God's Provision of Food

Elijah was a faithful prophet of God while many fellow Israelites had not only forgotten about God, but they wor­shipped false gods and idols and did other things not pleasing to the Lord. King Ahab of Israel was very wicked and probably didn't appreciate God's message that Elijah gave him. There would be no rain or dew in the land until God said there would be again.

After delivering this message, the Lord instructed Elijah to hide by the brook of Cherith, where he could drink from the brook. The Lord also provided ravens to bring him food, bread and meat, morning and evening.

With the drought, the brook dried up and grain did not mature. Again the Lord told Elijah where to go. He was to go to a widow who would provide food for him, even though she was planning to make a final meal for her and her son before they died of starvation. However, the Lord said that her bowl of flour and jar of oil would not be empty until He sent rain to the earth. God provided food for Elijah, for the widow and her son.

II. God's Provision of Family

While most of us probably appreciate food more after going without for a while; a similar statement might speak of our greater appreciation of family when we are separated for a period of time. The recognize God's provision of family.

Many years ago while our family was on vacation, Rachael and I dropped Sue off at an outlet mall and my daughter and I drove off in an unfamiliar city to eat supper and do something more enjoyable to us than shopping. We stopped at a fast food restaurant that had a huge indoor playground. Our stay there was extended and by the time we headed back to the mall to pick up Sue it was so dark that the route we traveled didn't look right to me so we turned around and looked elsewhere. Finally we prayed and went back to the first route which was correct and were reunited with wife and mother waiting outside a dark closed mall. It was certainly good to be back together.

Getting back to Elijah, recall that he was staying with a widow and her son. We don't know how long her husband had been dead. After God miraculously provided them with food for a long time, her only son became severely sick and died. She lost her last provision of family that we know about from the Bible. Elijah took the dead son, laid him on his bed and called on the Lord, asking that the child's life return to him. God answered and restored the boy's life.

Hopefully, we don't have to lose part of our family to realize how much we appreciate them. Thank God for His provision of family for you. Say thank you to God in your prayers for each member of your family.

III. God's Provision of Friends

To illustrate this from Elijah's life, let me remind you of the desperate situation in Israel after three years with absolutely NO RAIN! They were somewhat willing to listen to Elijah who suggested a test on Mount Carmel between Baal and the True God. Despite the prayers, cries, and dancing of 450 priests of Baal, no fire came to the altar. The altar of the Lord, doused with water, was quickly consumed by fire from heaven, proving that Elijah's God was the one true God. Elijah prayed and God brought rain to the parched ground. Wicked Queen Jezebel sent a message that she would have Elijah killed. He ran away, frightened, and hid in a cave. The Lord asked, "What are you doing here, Elijah?" Elijah told of his zealousness while others in Israel had turned against God. He was having a pity party, saying, "I alone am left and they seek my life to take it away."

Elijah had failed to see God's provision of friends, at least some possible friends, 7000 people in Israel who had NOT bowed to false gods. One of these special friends was Elisha. With a faithful Christian friend like Elisha by his side, the difficulties and enemies didn't seem nearly as big, but they were still there. Thank God for his provision of friends.

IV. God's Provision of Free Gift of Eternal Life

Throughout his life on earth Elijah saw God's provi­sions - sometimes miraculously - of food, family, friends. Despite his human frailty, Elijah was faithful to the Lord and experienced the New Testament truth that wasn't penned until many years later, "Every good thing bestowed and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights..." James 1:17.

A final provision, the free gift of eternal life was to have a dramatic climax for Elijah. While I believe that we have this provision at the point of our conversion, I want us to notice how God brought this reality to Elijah in his fascinating trip to heaven. As Elijah and Elisha were going along and visiting together, there appeared a chariot of fire and horses of fire which separated the two of them and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.

I don't share this Bible story to suggest that we will all have such a dramatic exit from earth to heaven, but to illustrate the fact that God provides the Free Gift of Eternal Life for all who sincerely receive Jesus Christ as their Savior.

Conclusion

For what are you thankful as we approach the holiday of Thanksgiving 2006? Food? Family? Friends? Free Gift of Eternal Life?

Izaak Walton wrote: "God has two dwellings - one in heaven and the other in a thankful heart."

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