In 1 Kings Chapter 17 & 18, we encounter a great prophet, who stood against a wicked king and his wicked wife, and against all the corrupt culture around him. Elijah is his name. We learn of how he prayed, and it stopped raining for three years and from the Word of the Lord, he prayed, and it rained again. He also called down fire from heaven to burn a sacrifice he had laid down as a testament to prove the true God to be worshiped. But what was so special about Prophet Elijah yet James 5:17 says he was a man with a nature like ours? He was a man who prayed with fervency, who followed God’s Word in faith and he was willing to lay his life down and say yes to God no matter the challenge that was presented to him.
God is calling us to be modern day Elijah’s and He is looking for people who will say yes to Him, and no to their own selfish interests. D.L. Moody famously said, “The world has yet to see what God will do with a man who is fully consecrated to Him.” Notice he says will do, not he can do. Many of us don’t believe we can make an impact in the Kingdom of God. We hear the message with our ears, but do we believe it in our hearts?
Be careful to believe the truth of the Holy Spirit instead of the lies of the enemy. The lie of the enemy is always telling us what we can’t do, but Jesus said, “My sheep hear my voice” -John 10:27. The truth of the Holy Spirit says, “You are significant, you are important, your contribution does matter to the kingdom, you can make a difference and you can make an impact.” He already prepared a ministry for every one of us to do. Ephesians 2:10 tells us. “We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”
When we intentionally choose to believe we will be fire starters, willing to do what it takes and to lay all down on the altar, God takes our words very seriously. So, what does it take for you and I to be an Elijah in these modern times: –
1.If we dare to be an Elijah, we need to be aware of the source of our strength.
Every great man and woman of God knew this. Supernatural strength has a supernatural source. If you try to do God’s business in your own strength and through your own self-effort, you will fall on your face. You can’t accomplish what God has for you unless you learn to flow from His strength.
Elijah was able to continually draw on God’s strength. Ephesians 6:10 says we are to “be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.” This means continually drawing strength from the Lord and His resources. There are two sources: His person and His resources. We can draw strength from His Word, through prayer, and fasting. May our eyes be enlightened to understand from Ephesians 1:18-19 the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power.
2.We must learn that God is always THERE.
Wherever God sends you and in whatever circumstance you find yourself, always be assured to find Him there. There could be in the marketplace, it might be at home or visiting the sick in the hospitals. “There” could be different for each one of us, but wherever it is, you will find God. It will always be a place of promise, a place of provision and power.
3.Learn to take one step at a time.
This is a simple principle, but it’s a hard one to learn. If we are going to walk into our destiny with the Lord, we need to take one step at a time. We want to know the whole picture, but God doesn’t work that way. He will give you the vision but you will have to take the first step. Often, the revelation of the second step will not come until you have taken the first step. We keep moving forward trusting He is walking beside us.
4.Learn to trust in God absolutely.
Elijah learned to trust God when the resources went down, when the attacks came, when he needed help, when he was praying for rain, when he was facing the prophets of Baal on the mountain and when he needed fire to come down from heaven. We need to trust God in every situation, no matter how big or small it is. Trust that He is the one who helps us, and changes every situation.
5.We must learn to value the hidden life.
Elijah sat by the brook drawing strength, getting refreshed in the presence of the Lord. This is probably the most important point, not only for those in ministry, but for every believer. We must learn to have the hidden, intimate time with the Lord. Take time to be alone with Him.
Parting Shot:-We must be willing to prepare the way of the Lord. It is our responsibility to prepare the way for His return. Our prayer should be, “Let me be a voice crying out just as John the Baptist cried out. Lord, I am willing to be a fore-runner. I am willing to stand in opposition to the world around me as Elijah opposed wickedness. I am willing to stand for truth and righteousness. I am willing to pray fervent, effectual prayers. I am willing to light the fires of revival.” Article by Dr.Tom Jones.
Love ReinaBeaty
