It's not easy for us of this generation to grasp the weight of certain things; particularly thus, by virtue of God's unhindered ways of doing things. The precious Lord has always been with his people inspite of many obstacles that have been laid in the path of His people.
I look at the Bible characters and I am awed by the simplicity with which they carried themselves: yet these men and Women of God wielded such great power and authority, especially at a time when full manifestation of the Holy Spirit was not evident. What would happen in those days was for the spirit of God to come upon them, and the Lord would use them. But this never stopped them from showing off the works of God in their generations time.
Jas 5:17 Elijah was a man of like feeling to us, and he prayed in prayer for it not to rain; and it did not rain on the earth three years and six months.
Jas 5:18 And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth caused its fruit to sprout.
This interests me, when I come to understand conditions in which Elijah operated in. Harsh realities dawned on him and other prophets, that they could not freely operate without attracting the wrath of the King and his wicked wife. Idolatry was the norm, and the house of Ephraim had been carried along with the craze of worshipping foreign deities. Does this somehow mirror what is going on albeit in a different way?
His ( Elijah) Spirit was vexed, and he wasn't going to conform himself to aspects that contradicted what God had handed to their fathers; and which were well articulated by the Lord.
He ( God) made it clear to them the consequences of defying his Law. Elijah spoke about the nation of Israel going without rain and dew, till his word came to pass. This was a sign to this nation that comprised ten tribes of Israel that God wasn't happy with the manner in which they were straying from what he had given them, and that was very evident. The bible doesn't tell us whether Judah was affected by this, since it's clear the words were precisely directed at Ahab who was the instigator of Ephraim's house backsliding tendencies. The house of David had its share of battles but this word seems to be so particular as to which house was going to be affected. And God honored Elijah's word.
The bible makes it very clear how Elijah was zealous and jealous for Jehovah because the children of Israel had forsaken the covenant.
1Ki 19:10 And he said, Being zealous, I have been zealous for Jehovah the God of Hosts, for the sons of Israel have forsaken Your covenant; they have thrown down Your altars, and they have killed Your prophets with the sword, and I am left, I alone, and they seek to take my life.
It shows here why he was able to call for the shutting of the heavens, and not a single drop of rain was to be seen in the land until his word came to pass. Such actions can only be associated with people that really love the Lord and not the world. Folks that are truly sold to the causes of God. And such God will never forsake nor fail to answer the prayers directed at him by those who love him this much.
When God finally told him that he was going to bring rain, "since most likely others who loved him were praying that he causes it to rain." We see what unfolds. Elijah wants everyone to know why it never rained, and who was supposed to be worshipped. He wanted them to see the difference and not follow Baal blindly, for Baal was subjecting them to the wrath of God. He tells Ahab to bring four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal and four hundred prophets of the grove for a contest on Mt Carmel.
Elijah takes an opportunity to deride and upbraid Ahab and Israel for the nation's backsliding tendency, and he gives those ministering to false deities a chance to prove to the nation as to whether those deities can match the sovereign power of God. He says to them this - "God that answers by fire is the one to be worshipped."
It takes great courage to engage a nation this way, more so when you're aware that your life is on the line if God fails to answer by fire.
Of truth God doesn't disappoint. When you truly seek him, and have a desire for people to see the difference between him and other aspects that are distracting his people from acknowledging his greatness, let it be known candidly that he will not let down his people at such moments. He honored Elijah by sending fire to consume the sacrifice placed on the repaired alter. And when Israel saw this, they fell on their knees and cried out aloud and said " the Lord is the God, the Lord is the God"
Time has come when the Holy Ghost fire need to be evidenced in our midst. When people see the glory of God, they shall whole-heartedly embrace him. We need to change tact, pray without ceasing like Elijah did, demonstrate his love and presence, and we shall see the flames of revival all over again. Let us come and worship him with a clean and pure heart, that hungers and craves for him, and we shall see a great spiritual awakening in our times. Blessed be the Lord God of Abraham, God of Isaac and God of Jacob. He is a powerful God and nothing is impossible with him!
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