Key Verses: James 5:17-18, "17Elijah 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. 18Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops."
Sports fans love great match-ups like an all-star pitcher facing a home-run hitter or a great quarterback taking on a top defensive team. Sometimes the encounters become legendary-basketball's Larry Bird playing against Magic Johnson, or Muhammad Ali boxing Joe Frazier.
The Old Testament includes a story about a battle of historic proportions, and if they'd had big stadiums back then, this event would have been a sellout.
Elijah was fed up with the way the Israelites were wavering between worshiping God and Baal. So on famous Mount Carmel, Elijah challenged the prophets of the false god. Big crowds gathered to watch 450 of Baal's prophets attempt to get their god to burn up a sacrifice. Then it was Elijah's turn. God answered his two-sentence prayer, and fire fell from heaven.
Because Queen Jezebel was a big follower of Baal, she vowed to have Elijah killed after he embarrassed the prophets of her god. So Elijah ran for his life. Then, despite his victory on Mount Carmel, his fear of Jezebel caused Elijah to feel depressed and alone. He even prayed for God to take his life. During that time God ministered to Elijah and helped him see he wasn't alone. God was with him at all times.
Today, we have something available to us that Elijah didn't have in his day: The Holy Spirit of God living in us. When we feel sad and lonely like Elijah did, we don't have to ask God to appear for our comfort, because he already lives in us. And that's a comfort you can always depend on.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment