GOD INTRODUCES ELIJAH:

A very vivid and powerful way of introducing the servant of God, to the scene of a distorted and idolatrous nation. The very word spoken by Elijah to the king Ahab has been heard by God and the effect immediately followed. There was no time delay for this prophecy and it was an answer to the prayer of Elijah. “Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months.” (James 5:17). While the nation Israel plunged into utter darkness, God prepared His rescue on the mountains of Tishbe in Gilead. He was kept like an arrow hidden in the quiver of God, till it was apt time for God to release him into the scene. Baal was thought by Israelites as the deity who was giving rain when worshipped. That is the reason why Elijah chose to pray and shut the heavens to show them clearly that it was not Baal who gave the rains in due season but God Almighty Himself. Elijah received his counsel from God and acted accordingly. The nation of Israel had become an idolatrous nation with kings and priests who served Baal instead of God-Jehovah. This nation had plunged into utter darkness and they were almost completely gone, when God raised up Elijah with such a powerful anointing to bring back light to the dark world of Israel. This was done with great heroic declarations before the King Ahab itself.

TODAY’S WORLD NEEDS MEN LIKE ELIJAH:

The world needs this kind of spiritual men, who would stand in the presence of kings of this world and utter the prophecies of God, with such power, that will bring every knee to bow before the Lord Jesus Christ. The world is in a turmoil, not knowing which direction to turn because the time of utter darkness has set in. This was the same in Elijah’s time. So without complaint, Elijah set himself to pray. This image is carried by James, who was famous for his prayer life and was aptly called a man with camel’s knee, due to his constant devotion in prayer to God.

Today in our churches we need powerful men like Elijah, who should be powerful enough to stand alone in king’s courts and declare God’s words to them. The church needs to produce such heroic men with real power, which cuts like a sharp laser into the thick darkness.

A LIFE SURRENDERED TO GOD’S WILL:

How did Elijah rise to this prominence and serve God without wavering from his devotion all throughout his life time? The only answer we can see is his utter surrender into God’s hands. After his heroic declaration to King Ahab, he was asked by God to go and hide near the brook of Kerith, where he was fed by ravens and water from the brook was his drink. Later God asked him to go to Zarephath, where he was sustained by the widow in a miraculous way. He was willing to go under God’s discipline in every area of life. He was tuned only to God’s calling and he left everything to God to be provided for and God literally sustained him with heavenly provisions.

​

Prayer: Dear God, I am amazed by the way Elijah was used. Please raise up such men of heroic virtues for these end times. In Jesus name. Amen.