In our reading today there is the abrupt and quite dramatic presentation of the prophet Elijah. It is very striking to note that there are only very few places where Elijah is referred to. Apart from Kings and Chronicles, we see his name referred in the Gospels and in the books of James and Revelation. A very short ministry, yet very profound and very effective!

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What was the secret in the effectiveness of Elijah? In the key verse above, we see God speaking to Elijah. Further, James 5:17 introduces Elijah to us as “a man like us.”  This ordinary man Elijah, obeyed God instantly!  

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Let us look into the obedience of Elijah:

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When God asked him to go to the palace of King Ahab, he immediately obeyed! In those days to visit a palace itself must have been a tedious task, let alone visit to give a message such as the one Elijah had to deliver!! Knowing the terror of the King that can come upon himself, Elijah still chose to be the messenger of God. Being a prophet, he has been the mouth of God to the people around him.

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Now he has been asked to carry out a very special and unique task to specifically talk to the King about the impending calamity of a drought, which was the impact of the whole nation turning away from God! Elijah was ready!! He was ready even if it endangered his very life; he was ready to meet the most powerful man in his country - if it was for God! That obedience made Elijah a special man and that faithfulness in executing the God- given task made his ministry stand out.

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Each of us who has confessed Jesus Christ as our Lord has a word from the Lord! “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15); "…that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations…" (Luke 24:47) Even if it is to the most indomitable person, God expects us to be obedient. The Kingdom of God is a Kingdom of movement, growth and action. The Word of God itself is “alive and active!” (Hebrews 4:12) Jesus Himself was on the move! There is no place for stagnancy and complacence in the Kingdom of God!! The Spirit of God is a rejuvenating Spirit – He empowers us! Isaiah 40:31 says, “But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.”

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In Matthew 7:24, Jesus said that he who listens to His Word and does it will be like a man who builds his house on the rock. In obedience there is safety!! We will be able to stay like the house built on rock, if we obey! Obeying God’s Word at the time He tells us and, in the manner He tells us is important. Jesus said in Luke 11:28, “… blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it!” Remember the obedience in Elijah and the blessing that followed—the same can be ours if we are willing to trust God and obey His Word!

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Thought for the Day:

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’

shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he

who does the will of My Father in heaven.”

Matthew 7:21