God Answers Prayer
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· 307 viewsWhat did it take for the prophet that brought drought to the nation to have rain?
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Ahab became king and married Jezebel. Jezebel was a worshiper of a god named Baal in which Ahab became also a worshiper of Baal. Then Elijah stood firm to the belief of the God of Israel and told King Ahab that Israel will not receive rain for the next three years until he said it would rain. God then provided for Elijah by sending him to the brooks of the Jordan river. There ravens took care of him. Then when the brooks dried out because of his own curse God sent him to a woman to provide for him. As a result, of providing for the prophet the woman was bless of being able to survive the drought herself. The three years had past and it was time to confront the issue of rain. Elijah met with Obadiah and told him to tell king Ahab to meet him at mount Carmel with all Israel and all the prophets of Baal. The match was the battle of the God’s. Elijah explained the rules. At first it did not seem fair because it was one prophet against 450 prophets. But Elijah asked for two bulls and the Baal prophets received one. They both where to cut the bulls into pieces and then place them on the wood but not to place any fire. Then the prophets of Baal would pray to their god and Elijah would pray to his God and whichever God sent fire then that is the true god. So the both parties agreed. So Elijah allowed the prophets of Baal to be the first to attempt. They exclaimed to Baal from morning to noon and no answer. By then Elijah made fun of them saying “come on speak louder probably he is sleeping, he is probably busy, or on a journey.” But no answer. Then Elijah told the Israelite's to get close to him. Then Elijah repaired the altar that was broken down with 12 stones, he also created a trench around it, then he set the wood and the pieces of bull on it. He then asked for four waterpots full of water and poured it on the sacrifice and at the time of the evening sacrifice Elijah said “Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known this day that You are God in Israel and I am Your servant, and that I have done all these things at Your word. Hear me, O Lord, hear me, that this people may know that You are God, and that You have turned their hearts back to You again.” Then the fire of the Lord fell on the sacrifice and consumed the offering and even licked up the water in the trench. The Israelite then fell on their faced and worshipped God. Elijah took the 450 prophets of Baal and killed them all. What do you do when such a victory is won?
Then Elijah said to Ahab, “Go up, eat and drink; for there is the sound of abundance of rain.”
1 Kings 18:
The Bible does not describe any scene of Elijah seeing any sign of rain. On the other hand Elijah tells Ahab to go enjoy his life because rain will be coming. Elijah knew that rain was coming because of his faith.
“Faith is not believing, but knowing that something is going to happen”
So Ahab went up to eat and drink. And Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; then he bowed down on the ground, and put his face between his knees,
We can see to types of leaders here.
Stays in the valley because to enjoy the benefits of the blessing.
The other decides to go to the mountain top to intercede for his people and the blessing.
and said to his servant, “Go up now, look toward the sea.” So he went up and looked, and said, “There is nothing.” And seven times he said, “Go again.”
1 king 18:
Six times Elijah’s servants went to check for rain with no sign of rain.
We can not give up after our first prayer, second prayer, third prayer.
I asked the angel why there was no more faith and power in Israel. He said, “Ye let go of the arm of the Lord too soon. Press your petitions to the throne, and hold on by strong faith. The promises are sure. Believe ye receive the things ye ask for, and ye shall have them.” I was then pointed to Elijah. He was subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly. His faith endured the trial. Seven times he prayed before the Lord, and at last the cloud was seen. I saw that we had doubted the sure promises, and wounded the Saviour by our lack of faith. Said the angel, “Gird the armor about thee, and above all take the shield of faith; for that will guard the heart, the very life, from the fiery darts of the wicked.” If the enemy can lead the desponding to take their eyes off from Jesus, and look to themselves, and dwell upon their own unworthiness, instead of dwelling upon the worthiness of Jesus, His love, His merits, and His great mercy, he will get away their shield of faith and gain his object; they will be exposed to his fiery temptations. The weak should therefore look to Jesus, and believe in Him; they then exercise faith.
White, E. G. (1882). Early Writings of Ellen G. White (p. 73). Review and Herald Publishing Association.
“We need to live on our knees to be able to see the little cloud as small as a man’s hand”
Then it came to pass the seventh time, that he said, “There is a cloud, as small as a man’s hand, rising out of the sea!” So he said, “Go up, say to Ahab, ‘Prepare your chariot, and go down before the rain stops you.’ ”
1 kings
and said to his servant, “Go up now, look toward the sea.” So he went up and looked, and said, “There is nothing.” And seven times he said, “Go again.”
1 kings 18:43
The rain had not fallen yet but Elijah warned Ahab to leave so he can make it to his destination.
I am called to intercede for my brother until the last moment of the history of this world.
I am called to intercede for my brother until the last moment of the history of this world.
Before the coming of Christ there will be the last call before the storm. We are to warn our brother and sisters that it is not enough to experience the presence of God but we need to let God live in us so that the storm will not affect us.
Before the coming of Christ there will be the last call before the storm. We are to warn our brother and sisters that it is not enough to experience the presence of God but we need to let God live in us so that the storm will not affect us.
The servant watched while Elijah prayed.… As he searched his heart, he seemed to be less and less, both in his own estimation and in the sight of God. It seemed to him that he was nothing, and that God was everything; and when he reached the point of renouncing self, while he clung to the Saviour as his only strength and righteousness, the answer came.
White, E. G. (1882). Early Writings of Ellen G. White (p. 73). Review and Herald Publishing Association.
However courageous and successful a man may be in the performance of a special work, unless he looks constantly to God when circumstances arise to test his faith he will lose his courage. Even after God has given him marked tokens of His power, after he has been strengthened to do God’s work, he will fail unless he trusts implicitly in Omnipotence.
White, E. G. (1955). Sons and Daughters of God (p. 206). Review and Herald Publishing Association.
Now it happened in the meantime that the sky became black with clouds and wind, and there was a heavy rain. So Ahab rode away and went to Jezreel.
Then the hand of the Lord came upon Elijah; and he girded up his loins and ran ahead of Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel.
And it came to pass in a little while, that the heavens grew black with clouds and wind, and there was a great rain. And Ahab rode, and went to Jezreel:
White, E. G. (1955). Sons and Daughters of God (p. 206). Review and Herald Publishing Association.
Even though Ahab left first. Elijah by the works of God was able to guide Ahab through the storm to safety of the entrance of Jezreel.
“Godly leaders serve on their knees rather than being served standing”