What Is the Place Called “There”?

Let me take you back to the story of Elijah in 1 Kings 17. Elijah stood before King Ahab and declared, “As the Lord God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word” (1 Kgs. 17:1). Elijah spoke out in faith, but his obedience was just beginning. God gave him specific instruction to go to the brook Cherith, where He had commanded the ravens to feed him. Notice that God didn’t tell Elijah to just go anywhere. He didn’t say, “Go to the biggest, most comfortable place you can find.” He told Elijah to go to a brook—where there was no rain—and that’s where His provision would meet him.

Here’s the point: God doesn’t send provision to where you are. He sends it to where He tells you to go. That place called “there” might not look like what you expect. It might not feel easy or convenient. But that’s where God’s blessing will meet you.

Obedience Is Key

Elijah didn’t just hear from God and sit back, waiting for things to happen. He didn’t reason with God or make excuses. He got up and obeyed. That’s the key to seeing God’s provision: obedience. And let me tell you, it wasn’t a smooth road. Elijah had to step into a place of opposition and risk his life by standing for God’s truth in a nation that had turned its back on Him.

This is where we need to apply some boldness. Too many people are holding back because they’re worried about what others will think. Elijah didn’t worry about the backlash. He didn’t care what King Ahab or anyone else had to say. He stood strong on God’s word, and that’s when he saw God’s provision. You’ve got to do the same. Don’t compromise just to keep the peace. When you follow God’s instructions, even when they’re hard, His provision will meet you.

The Place Called “There” Is Also a Spiritual State

But let me make something clear: the place called “there” isn’t just a physical location; it’s also about your heart. You have to get to a place spiritually where you’re willing to say, “God, I’m all in. I’m going to obey You, no matter what it looks like or how difficult it seems.”

That means trusting that God has a plan for you, even if you don’t have all the details. You might not see the next step right away, but that’s where faith comes in. If you’re waiting for God to show you everything upfront, you’ll be waiting a long time. God doesn’t always give us the full picture at once. He gives us the next step—and that’s all we need to move forward.

Provision Comes When You Step Out in Faith

I’ve seen this principle work in my own life over and over, and I’ve learned not to wait for the perfect conditions, but to step out when God told me to. You know, the brook Cherith dried up eventually. But Elijah didn’t sit around complaining. God told him to go to Zarephath, and Elijah didn’t hesitate. He moved on, and guess what? God provided for him there too.

When one provision dries up, it’s not the end. It’s just the beginning of God’s next provision. If you’re obedient, God will meet you at your place called “there.” You might not always know where “there” is at the moment, but when you stay sensitive the Lord’s direction, He’ll always guide you and provide for you.

Trust God’s Timing

God’s timing is perfect, but it’s not your timing. You can’t force God to meet you in your own time or place. When God says go, you just go. And you trust that His provision will meet you when you get there. If Elijah had waited for things to line up just the way he thought they should, he would’ve missed out. But he obeyed. That’s what we need to do too.

Step into Your Place Called “There”

Think for a moment: Are you where God has called you to be? If you’re waiting for things to change, don’t just sit around. If you sense God is leading you, take the steps of faith that will move you toward your place called “there.” His provision is already waiting for you there. Just like He provided for Elijah, He’ll provide for you. But you can’t wait for all the stars to align and everything to be just perfect. Step out in obedience and trust that God’s provision will meet you right where He told you to go.

God’s Plan Unfolds Step by Step

When I think back to the early days of Jamie and me starting out in ministry, it’s incredible to see how God brought us step by step to where we are today. If the Lord had shown me fifty-seven years ago that this ministry would need $10 million a month, I’d have been overwhelmed. Back then, we barely made ends meet. In our first two years of marriage, our total income was only about $3,700, with $100 of that going to our monthly rent. Many times, we didn’t know how we’d make it. But God was teaching us to trust Him in the little things so He could prepare us for more.

This principle is clear in Scripture. In Deuteronomy 7:22, God told the Israelites He wouldn’t drive out all their enemies at once but would do it little by little as they were ready. Why? Because He loved them and didn’t want to overwhelm them. It’s the same for us. God grows our faith line upon line, precept upon precept, to prepare us for what’s ahead.

If I’d seen the full vision of this ministry early on, I might have grown impatient, chasing results instead of learning the lessons God had for me. The years I spent preaching to twelve or fifty people were really important. They taught me faithfulness and prepared me for the greater responsibilities I have now.

Bold Faith, Divine Wisdom

Elijah’s story illustrates this really well. After he boldly confronted King Ahab, God foresaw the danger and told him, “Get thee hence . . . and hide thyself by the brook Cherith” (1 Kgs. 17:3). God didn’t leave Elijah to face the threat alone. His instructions provided both sustenance and safety, shielding Elijah from harm while supplying his needs during the drought.

This really highlights why it’s so crucial to follow God each step of the way. His guidance isn’t just about provision—it’s also about protection. If Elijah had stayed and defied Ahab further, he might have been killed. But by obeying God’s direction, he found both safety and miraculous provision.

God’s care for us is no different. His direction is designed to guard and position us for His best. Trusting Him means recognizing that His plans always include both our provision and our protection. It’s not always about just being bold, but always listening to the Lord. It’s about relationship with Him. Whatever God is calling you to, take the first step. He won’t overwhelm you. He’ll guide you one step at a time, building your faith and preparing you for greater things ahead. Trust Him—He knows exactly what you need.

Are You Ready?

God has a place called “there” for every single one of us. It may not look like the place we would’ve chosen, but when we get there, God’s provision will meet us. The key is obedience. If you want to see God’s provision in your life, you’ve got to move in faith. It doesn’t matter what country you’re in, your situation, whether you’re male or female, your color, or your educational background—God has a plan for you. You need to find out what it is and then start moving in that direction, one step at a time. And if you’ll obey, God will manifest Himself and turn your natural into supernatural. It’ll be awesome. God is sending provision to where He’s called you to go.

So, are you ready to step into your place called “there”? I encourage you to take advantage of the materials we have available on this teaching so you can build your faith in this area.