The Camels are Coming

Many of you will be familiar with the Old Testament story of the supernatural supply of food to the prophet Elijah at the Brook Cherith, during a time of drought, when God commanded the Ravens to feed him there. (1 Kings 17) This was undoubtedly a supernatural occurrence, for Ravens are scavengers, they do not willingly or easily part with anything, let alone food? Yet (commanded by God) they brought Elijah bread and flesh in the morning and bread and flesh in the evening. God can use you even if you only have a “bird brain”? What an unexpected source!

My Sermon today is about Supernatural, Unexpected provision. Some of you may be needing a miracle right now in your finances, you may be needing a breakthrough in your business or on your farm, you may be needing a fresh supply, a new source of help in these times of depression and recession.

God has promised us that the “Wealth of the sinner is laid up for the Just” (Proverbs 13:22 ) and in these times of hardship, I believe that God will once again show up strong for his own people. Now is the time for a miracle, now is the time for God to do something amazing, even unexpected for his Church and for His Children.

This time however, God will not be using the Ravens, but He will be using the most unusual servants in fulfilling his purposes, this time, as my sermon title suggests, … “The Camels are Coming!”

Now, before you say “I never heard such nonsense” let me show you what the Bible says, for remember, its my job to open up the Bible week by week, not to open up the newspapers. I must show you that much of what the newspapers are reporting right now, was first reported, first cited in the Bible. I am a student of Prophesy, and I am also keen to bring you in these programmes and sermons, a “word in season” which will be food for the hungry and drink for the thirsty.

Right now across the whole of the Christian world, the Church world, there is a growing hunger amongst Gods people for Truth and Reality. Gone are the days when any Preacher can settle for less, for the congregations are voting with their feet, they are speaking volumes right now as they search for truth and reality with God. The mainline Denominational Churches are dwindling in popularity, there is a shaking going on in them all, and the small house group fellowships are growing and the youth of today are being touched dramatically by the Holy Spirit with a hunger for God. I see it every week. Who would have thought that in five short years, the listening congregation to this Sanctuary Broadcast, would be in the thousands – with over 8000 hits on the web page alone. “This is the Lords doing, and marvellous in our eyes” – Psalm 118:23

So Gods provision is on its way! God makes a way when there is no way, provided that we walk in obedience with Him. Ravens of course were perfectly suited to the providing for one man, but when God has to miraculously provide for a whole Church or a whole Nation, – Ravens are no good. You’ve never seen a Raven carrying a Grocery Bag? But Camels can be laden down, burdened with bounty, and because of their reserves

of energy and fat, they can endure for days in hardship when no other animal God created could. A Horse will run out of steam, but a Camel won’t. Isn’t it amazing then, that God tells us that, “The Camels are coming” So where does God say all this?

Let us read a few verses from Isaiah Chapter 60; ( and if this doesn’t get you “fired up” for the future, then you need much prayer.) And I’m reading from the Amplified Version of the Bible. The Amplified Bible like any amplification, strengthens the original, here the original Hebrew text is made stronger by amplification. We read at verse 1.

1 Arise [from the depression and prostration in which circumstances have kept you

Almost every day this past week in the media we were hearing of people wondering how they are going to make it

—rise to a new life! Shine (be radiant with the glory of the Lord),

It doesn’t matter how you dress or how you look, but if you are radiant with the glory of the Lord, you’ll attract the world!

for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you!

2 For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and dense darkness

[all] peoples,

Everywhere we look we can see this darkness and despair, all over the planet.

but the Lord shall arise upon you [O Jerusalem], and His glory shall be seen on you.

Now while this prophesy was to Jerusalem, we, the body of Christ are now the Israel of God. His Glory is on us too!

3 And nations shall come to your light,

This is what will change the world in this final hour, the light of Jesus shining through the Church. We are as a City set on a Hill, (Matthew 5:14) …and kings to the brightness of your rising.

4 Lift up your eyes round about you and see! They all gather themselves together, they come to you. Your sons shall come from afar, and your daughters shall be carried and nursed in the arms.

5 Then you shall see and be radiant, and your heart shall thrill and tremble with joy [at the glorious deliverance] and be enlarged; because the abundant wealth of the Sea shall be turned to you, unto you shall the nations come with their treasures.

So before you say “he’s speaking to Israel” – let me remind you that whatever he can say to Israel, he can say to the Church.

We are his people, we have been born into this whole thing, we are God people, his chosen people, and made so, through the blood of Jesus. Remember that:

“He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God“. John 1:11-13

We are born into this, we the Church, are his chosen people.

Did you notice in verse 5, that he speaks about the wealth of the Sea. Did you know that in the land of Israel, they have recently discovered that there is a previously unknown wealth of rare mineral resources found in the Dead Sea. That place where it was always (and up to now) considered to be of no real potential value, it has proved to be a place of great value. This is most significant, for it teaches me that even though there are dead places in our lives and in our experiences, God is able to resurrect a wealth from those things which were once

considered dead, or lost to us. Even though a former source may appear Dead, it does not mean that God cannot bring it to life again. A dried up stream from your past, may still bring a river of supply into your future. God is able to give life to all sorts of dry bones. Ezekiel 37:10

Now look at verse 6.

6 A multitude of camels shall cover you [Jerusalem], the young camels of Midian and Ephah; all the men from Sheba [who once came to trade] shall come, bringing gold and frankincense and proclaiming the praises of the Lord

As I said a moment ago, “The wealth of the sinner (the wicked) is laid up for the Just“. But some are asking, “How come the Just have not grabbled a hold of it yet?” We cannot ask God to do his part unless and until we do our part. Maybe we are not “just” or as “just as we should be”? (I’m asking a question)

Now we need not sit under condemnation in this, that’s why we are called to repent. When you are born again, born into Gods family, that only happens by repentance, – no other way. Whatever it was you were doing, you change, you leave those things behind, you set that down, you begin to actually hate sin. Even the thought of sin should create a sickening feeling.

When you fall or fail God, you don’t fall on purpose, for whatever you used to do, you don’t want to do – your flesh fails but your born again spirit has no part in the failing. Like the apostle Paul says, you begin to treat sin like dung. Phil 3:8.

The Devil will try to entice you, he can make the most horrible things look attractive, he is a master at “The deceitfulness of sin“ but we must order the Devil not to even come around our house. We must tell him that our territory is “out of bounds” to him. That’s why the power of the Holy Spirit is given you and I to overcome. Yet we need to remember that his ways are most subtle; and if he tempted Jesus he will tempt you!

Like Jesus, we too have the word of God – we must learn how to work the word – “IT IS WRITTEN…” Your Body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, your mouth is his temple, you cannot speak or talk like the world now. When we live and function in these things are we ought, then we can be called “The Just” who live by Faith. Its easy to ACT Just, but to BE Just is another thing. If we are living and walking in obedience to God then there is a supernatural provision and supply for us. How do you imagine I live? I have no Church or Congregation to pay my bills, my only guarantee is God. So I’d better be shining for God, talking the talk and walking the walk. When you walk in line with God you will reflect God to a lost and dying world. It’s time for us to arise and shine for The Camels are Coming.

They are coming laden and the verse 6 says, “a MULTITUDE” are coming. This is not only one or two Camels that are coming – for this multitude are bringing provision for this final hour.

In times of lack, Gods people will not lack, God will make a way for you, when there is no way. Notice too that there will be material provision, (Gold) and spiritual provision (Incense) and you that have been faithful and have been prepared by God to be the recipient of this abundance, will receive it by Grace and with Patience. Most things we are impatient to get, but we will never receive from God with impatience. Often in our immaturity, we want things NOW.

I knew a boy – Johnny who was 16 and was eager to learn to drive and take a car on the road, before he was licensed? His parents, allowed him to manoeuvre his Mums car in the privacy of their own drive, – never on the road. He would put the car in the Garage, and take it out, he would reverse it, do three point turns and learn all about the car from the privacy of the drive but he was not allowed to take that car on the road until he was 17 and was in possession of a provisional licence. Yet with immaturity we all want things now. One day, when Johnny’s parents were both off in his Dads car, Johnny opened the gates and took his Mums car on the road. His intention was only to drive a few hundred yards to the nearest turning place and bring the car back. But on the way back, he met a Lorry and had to pull the car in on the verge to pass it safely. By doing so, he pulled the car over some large stones on that verge, and tore the whole underside out of his Mothers car. Quickly and quietly he returned the car to the garage, closed the door and went to bed.

Not until the Monday morning when his Mother went to drive to work did she notice that the whole undercarriage of her car was fallen and badly damaged. The paintwork was heavily scored and the nearside front wheel badly buckled.

Sometimes wanting things NOW is not such a good idea?

God’s Delays are not necessarily Denials, but we need to be ready to receive from Him and to use his gifts properly in the way that he desires. The Supply is coming, but not coming so that we can change the car, or build a bigger house, or go on longer holidays? The supply is coming for the Harvest, to help us fund the ingathering of souls and provide for others in times of Crisis and Hardship. God is getting you ready, that’s why I’m preaching on this today, – just be faithful, keep on working and walking with God until this Miraculous Supply shows up.

In recent weeks, I have sensed the Holy Spirit relentlessly speaking to me, “The camels are coming!” As it has often been stated, “God offends the mind to reveal the heart.” So it is in this case today. New sources are coming! Do not miss the gift by stumbling over the package. Discern the ways of God, seek wisdom and respond in faith by creating a dwelling place for the camels that are the carriers of His presence and provision.

Consider too that a new generation of camels are coming. They might look different. They might even act somewhat differently. Their approach and style might even appear to be “out of the box.” The packages they are carrying might even be in a different sort of wrapper! But know this, a fresh breed of gift laden camels are being released from the throne of God to beatify the body of Christ to prepare her to be presented to her king.

The camels are coming. Expect to receive His gifts – expect His camels at your door soon.

NOW THIS FINAL WORD.

During the weeks of preparation and writing of this Sermon

I had not yet considered this “final word” or how to bring the message to a conclusion. Then very early this morning,

the Lord awakened me in an audible voice and said

“2 Kings 3:17” ( I woke up saying – “who said that”?)

I expect that it’s more than a year since I was reading this story, and was not familiar with the reference – so I opened my Bible and read the verse. This is what it says: 2 Kings 3:17

“For thus saith the LORD, Ye shall not see wind, neither shall ye see rain; yet that valley shall be filled with water, that ye may drink, both ye, and your cattle, and your beasts“.

This was at a time when the united forces of Israel, Judah and

Edom planned war against the Moabites, but because of a drought in the land, there was no water for the Kings Horses or the Kings Hosts.

In response to Elisha the Prophets enquiry and prayers, God gave them this promise that although they would

“not see the wind, neither see the rain; yet that valley would be filled with water,”?

In essence God was saying to them, as he is saying in this hour to his Church (to us) that although we may not see our needs being met in the normal or usual way, … and there may be no cash in the ATM, no food in the supermarket, no petrol at the pumps, and no heat in the house, …

nevertheless, the needs will be met, there will be supply in the storehouse, water in the well, oil in the jar, and food in the cupboard. God cannot fail his Children, – I know it!

This is why the Hymn writer could say…

“There is a river that flows from God above,

There is a fountain of goodness and of love,

Come to that fountain there is a vast supply

There is a River that never shall run dry.”

Praise God for evermore!

God Bless You. Amen