Me too.
James 5:17 - 18 Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.
Why did Elijah pray that it wouldn't rain? Back in 1 Kings 17, we learn that Ahab was the reigning king in Israel at that time. Ahab was a man about whom God said "Ahab did more to provoke the LORD God of Israel to anger than all the kings of Israel that were before him." (I Kings 16:33). In short, Israel was in trouble, going down the wrong path. God sent Elijah to warn them of the consequences if they didn't turn around. Elijah was banned.
So Elijah prayed for consequences - the drought. I'm guessing that he knew God would use just this sort of thing to bring the nation to its knees. It took three and a half years of no rain to prepare the hearts. Then this three-and-a-half years culminates in the famous standoff between Baal and God, Ahab and Elijah on Mount Carmel. After watching God blow up the sacrifice in one breath, guess what. The people fell down and worshiped God.
Do you see what happened? The entire nation of Israel turned around because of Elijah's prayer. Mission accomplished. Elijah prayed again, and it rained.
Look at the verse one more time:
James 5:17 - 18 Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.
God used the prayers of one man to turn the nation around. And that man was just like us. Isn't that hard to believe -- that Elijah was not superhuman, he wasn't particularly spiritual or in better standing with God. But no. He was like us. We, like him, are declared righteous by God. And we, like him, have access to God through prayer.
Our God wants to work through our prayers. He wants to glorify Himself, not just in Israel, but in every nation and every people. Elijah was one man, but he prayed earnestly and changed the course of the nation. Notice that it wasn't immediate or painless. But wow, did God ever honor himself!
People, let's pray. (And maybe be nervous about the potentially coming drought).
Moreover let's take comfort in knowing that God glorifies himself in the end. I sure am grateful for that!
Awesome post about prayer! I was just talking with a friend of mine about even praying for the little things. She was looking for her husband's military i.d. card which is a huge thing that you don't want to lose. She prayed to find it and a few minutes later she found it in an unlikely spot. :D God is good!
ReplyDeleteIt is always encouraging to read about Elijah and how he prayed...and how God heard his prayer. Thank you for this great post.
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