The drought breaks!

The drought was over! The rain was coming, the prophets of Baal were dead and the people had turned back to God. Elijah was so excited that he ran all the way to Jezreel, even outpacing the chariots of Ahab. What did he expect to see when he got there? Was Ahab going to get rid of the prophets of Asherah, take spiritual leadership in the land and in his own home and bring Jezebel into line? Would Elijah be received in style, welcomed as a hero and thanked for his hard work and persistence. Would Ahab repent and lead his people in the ways of God?

The answer to all of these questions is a resounding ‘no’! Ahab was concerned about his material needs not the things of God. He couldn’t wait to tell Jezebel all about the things that happened and what Elijah had done, and Jezebel saw red! Ahab had given up the leadership in his own house; it was Jezebel who called the shots. She immediately issued a threat against Elijah. The next she saw him she would kill him. Her plan was to drive him away, reduce his threat to her position and power.

What was Elijah’s response? A threat of a mere woman, a heathen at that, surely recent events would suggest that he would stay calm in the face of this threat. After all wasn’t she part of the same court that he had boldly addressed three years previously? Hadn’t God protected him in the desert, at Zarephath and at Mt Carmel? Obviously the God who protected him there would do so now. But Elijah didn’t respond with that assurance, he was afraid and he ran for his life! What a contrast to his previous behaviour. He didn’t wait for the word of God to come – he was off. He fled to the southernmost town in Israel, Beersheba, a town belonging to the tribe of Judah, the only tribe that had remained faithful to God, one that was safe from the clutches and influence of Jezebel. But he didn’t stop there; he went into the desert as far as Mt Horeb.

Why did Elijah run? Had God’s plans failed? Had Elijah assumed that the events on Mt Carmel would change everything and since they hadn’t did he consider himself a failure? Elijah had committed himself to God’s work; everything he had done was at God’s command and yet everything he had striven for had come to nothing. Things got worse instead of better. Ahab didn’t repent; he went back to his old ways as fast as he possibly could. Elijah was confronted with what appeared to be the failure of his own ministry. The courage that had stood him in good stead in the past now failed him; his sense of certainty at being exactly where God wanted him to be was gone along with his confidence. So he ran.

Have you ever felt like Elijah – done whatever God has told you to do, pushed yourself to the limit and beyond, put yourself out on a limb, only to have it cut off behind you? You have selflessly served others, suffered personal hardship and discomfort but instead of getting recognition and thanks you have been rejected or ignored and perhaps even falsely criticized and accused. It would not be surprising if this has been your experience; it has certainly been mine. The question is: how did you respond? Did you, like Elijah, head for the desert with your tail between your legs or did you wait to hear from God and when you heard move forward one more time? Elijah had reasons for reacting the way that he did, but there is no evidence to suggest that his behaviour was the result of obedience to God’s command. How have you responded when the reaction you received to your ministry was not what you expected?

At the time when Elijah was most needed he went missing. Perhaps if he had stayed those silent followers of God like Obadiah might have summoned up the courage to take a stand, maybe the people would have put their newfound worship of God into practice – but he didn’t. He took his servant and he headed south. For nearly 200 kilometres he headed toward the desert, this time not through a drought, but through a storm.

What was going through his mind as he ran? Was he questioning God, did he ask why? Why had God brought him to this place – he had been totally obedient but his mission had failed and his life was threatened. Instead of a victor’s reward he received a death threat. Why God – why did you let this happen? Elijah got to Beersheba and left his servant there, then he traveled a further day’s journey into the desert sat under a tree and complained. ‘Take my life, what use is anyway? Kill me now. I’m no better than all the other prophets, nobody listened to them and they don’t listen to me. They failed and so did I. Take my life now – I can’t face it anymore’.  Elijah was in a bad way, he was miserable, depressed and felt completely useless. But he didn’t need to go into the desert to die, Jezebel could have accommodated his request right there in Jezreel! He probably hoped against hope that God would reassure him and tell him that all was not lost and there was some greater plan that he didn’t yet know about and he, Elijah, was going to be mightily used in bringing it to pass. But God was silent.

The courage, confidence and sense of purpose that had led Elijah to Mt Carmel had gone. He was depressed. He had reached the end of his tether. He had fled from Jezreel, he had not waited on a word from God, but taking his servant he took off. This time there was no brook, no ravens to feed him, no widow’s home to rest in, no one to minister to or to receive ministry from, he was alone. And he wanted it that way. He didn’t even want the company of his servant, but left him behind as he went further into the desert and into his own misery. Elijah kept plodding on, possibly without any sense of where he was going or why he was going there and when his strength finally gave out he collapsed under a bush and cried out to God to take his life. This time this mighty man of prayer failed to get the answer he wanted.

Life is full of ‘what if’s’. If Elijah had stayed in Jezreel what would have happened? If he had waited to hear from God, if he had challenged Jezebel what would have been the result? If God had answered his prayer and taken his life in the desert would things have been different? Of course we don’t know the answer to these questions and we can probably look back on the events in our own lives and ask similar questions. What if I had made this or that choice, what if I had studied harder and gone to university, what if I had had traveled more, or prayed more, or accepted that opportunity to preach or share my testimony. Unfortunately, like Elijah, we may never know the answer to those questions and it is therefore essential that whenever we are called upon to make a decision that we wait until we hear from God. Elijah acted out of fear and disappointment, not faith or obedience. He may have missed the opportunity to bring about a revival in Jezreel because he didn’t wait to hear from God.

Be sure that as you confront the choices that come your way that you are not afflicted with the ‘if only’ condition that limits your response to the way you feel and the resources you have available. Remember that if God calls you he will provide for you and will also protect you. Don’t look back with disappointment and say ‘if only’ or ‘what if’. Listen for the voice of God and when he speaks courageously take him at his word and move in the strength that he will provide.

Just a little Cloud

While Elijah crouched in prayer on the mountain his view was restricted so he told his servant to go a little higher so that he could see the sea. After he had been praying for a little while he told his servant to go up and look to see whether the rain was coming. The servant went up but when he returned he had nothing to report. What happened? Were Elijah’s prayers ignored, had God not answered?

Elijah prayed some more and then sent his servant again. Again he came back and again he had nothing to report, no rain, no clouds nothing. But hadn’t Elijah said he had heard a storm approaching? Didn’t he tell Ahab to go and refresh himself because there was rain coming? Once again Elijah prayed and once again, a third time he sent his servant. But his servant still had nothing to report. Surely there was something wrong, maybe Elijah wasn’t praying right, perhaps he had overlooked something, where was the rain? Six times Elijah sent his servant up the mountain to examine the sky over the ocean, and six times he returned with the same answer ‘there is nothing’. Each time he went involved a trip up the mountainside and back, the servant may have started with optimism but after the sixth his enthusiasm must have been waning. Elijah himself had not moved and if his prayers had been fervent before, surely they were desperate now. Still he said to his servant go up once more. This time he came back with a different report. ‘I see a cloud, but it’s very small, about the size of my fist, and it’s coming up over the sea’. That was enough! This was what Elijah was waiting for - the rain was coming.

The servant may have wanted more evidence, actual rain perhaps or at least some wind. Even better if he could have a little thunder and lightning. But Elijah did not wait for that; he did not despise small beginnings. A little cloud a long way off was enough. Elijah had prayed and God had answered; now once again action was required. It was God that initiated Elijah’s prayer and it was his desire that Elijah should keep praying until the answer came. For his part Elijah was prepared to remain in prayer until he saw the evidence of God’s answer and when he saw it he responded in faith. Too often we call on God to do his will and diligently pray, but when the answer comes we are unconvinced. Rather than act in faith we want to wait until all of our conditions have been met. Rather than act when we see the approaching cloud, even when it is very small, we don’t move until the thunderstorm is upon us.

Now it was time to get up. The time of waiting was over, ‘go’ he told his servant ‘and tell Ahab to get his chariot organized before the rain comes and he gets bogged in the mud’. There is a time when we must respond in faith to the evidence of answered prayer. If Elijah had waited for the rain to come, Ahab would have become stuck in the mud and God’s plans would have been delayed. Every great movement of God starts with a small beginning, a little cloud that appears to be a long way off. It may come as we are praying, but are we praying with expectation? Do we keep looking for the answer, not surprised when it comes but eagerly waiting? Elijah knew the rain would come and he was going to pray until it did. When the cloud appeared he was ready, he knew what he was going to do next and he did it. When the small cloud appears on the horizon, get up and act. Don’t get caught sleeping when the rain comes – otherwise you might get caught in the mud!

The prayers of Elijah were definite. These were no wishy-washy, half-baked wishes but specific requests. He watched for the answer to his prayers because he knew exactly what he was asking for. Elijah was specific, as he bowed to the ground on Mount Carmel he prayed for rain – nothing else would do. When he called on God at the altar he needed fire. In the home at Zarephath he needed a boy brought back from the dead. He made specific requests and he got specific answers. How specific are your prayers? Are they so vague that almost any answer will do, or do you tell God exactly what it is that you are asking for and watch until you get it? Elijah did and his prayers were answered.

Elijah was serious about his prayers but he was also expectant. On Mount Carmel, seven times he sent his servant in anticipation of an answer and six times he came back with nothing to report, but the seventh time he announced the presence of a cloud. When Elijah engaged the prophets of Baal before the altar he had backed himself into a corner – God had to answer. But Elijah was in no doubt, he could pray expectantly. At the foot of the mountain Elijah told Ahab that he heard the sound of rain, he didn’t hope – he knew that God would answer his prayer.

When he was at the widow’s home Elijah prayed three times before his request was granted, but on Mount Carmel he sent his servant seven times to look for the answer. He didn’t give up, he persisted. His persistent nature is reflected in his obedience. He stayed at Brook Cherith until God told him to go. He remained at Zarephath until he was instructed to leave and on Mount Carmel he remained crouched until the cloud appeared. He persevered, he knew God would answer in his time, at the right time, and he was not surprised when the answer came. How often do we fail to see the answers to our prayers because we give up too soon? Have we prayed for someone’s healing but when we don’t see an instant response do we give up or move on? Have we made petitions for our communities, schools or young people but given up when things haven’t changed? This wasn’t the way Elijah prayed, he kept at it until the answer came.

How do your prayers compare with those of Elijah? His were based on the promises of God, they were definite and he prayed seriously and with expectation. There was no doubt with Elijah he knew that he was doing God’s will and in order for that will to be completed certain things had to happen. All Elijah had to do was to pray them into being. Why don’t you examine the prayers you have offered this week and see how they stack up? Remember prayer is God’s idea; he invites you to pray so that you can join him in seeing his will accomplished on earth as it is in heaven.

The Sound of Rain

The contest on Mt Carmel was over, Elijah and those that had turned back to God were surrounded by the evidence of the slaughter that had just taken place No doubt Elijah was covered in the blood of the false prophets and the smell of death would have been in the air. Ahab was also there, perhaps an unwilling bystander, and maybe some distance away – but he was there. How did Ahab feel about the slaughter that had taken place, had he given his approval or had he stood by powerless to stop what was happening. Elijah had momentum; the crowd was on his side and once the slaughter began it is unlikely that any one could have stopped it.

Once the carnage was over Elijah told Ahab that he heard the sound of a storm approaching and he should go back up the mountain to eat and drink. Was Elijah speaking prophetically? Had anyone else heard the storm approaching? This is unlikely given the events that were to unfold, but whatever the case Ahab either believed him or was just glad to be away from this scene of brutality.

The conditions had been met, now it would rain. Elijah knew it and perhaps he even heard it, the crowd and Ahab didn’t. Surely if Ahab believed the rain was coming or that he had things he needed to deal with he would have set off for Samaria immediately. But he did not, he went and ate and drank just as if nothing had changed. God in his mercy often gives demonstrations of his power that are intended to gain your attention and change the course of your life, what has been your response? Has it been to take it in your stride and carry on as though nothing had happened, or have you taken stock, made a choice and moved in God’s direction?

Elijah and Ahab went back up the mountain. It is unlikely that they traveled together; Elijah went alone, or with his servant while Ahab went with his entourage. Ahab went to eat and drink; Elijah went to pray. Elijah went in the power of God; Ahab went in the strength of his own importance. The contrast is stark. Elijah was the prophet who had come at God’s command to restore worship to Israel and destroy the false prophets; Ahab was the King who by his marriage to Jezebel and his own weakness had led the people into false worship and sin. Ahab’s sin had brought the drought; Elijah’s righteousness would end it. Both had witnessed the dramatic power of God, one was anticipating the hand of God at work while the other concerned himself with food and drink.

At the top of the mountain Ahab retired to his tent where he relaxed and refreshed himself. What was on his mind, did he expect the rain to come, was he planning how he would explain things back at the palace, or was he unconcerned at all that he had seen, we can only speculate. On the other hand there is no doubt about what was going on in Elijah’s mind. He went some distance away and crouched down with his head between his knees and prayed. The contrast between the two men is once more revealed: one in comfort and rest enjoying refreshments in the face of a crisis while the other in desperation, humbly calling on his God to answer the need.

When we are faced with crisis how do we respond? Are we like Ahab carrying on as if there is nothing we can do, or untouched by the pain being suffered by those around us, or like Elijah do we throw ourselves at God’s mercy desperately calling on him to intervene. In the face of international crisis how does the church respond? We are surrounded by famine, drought, war and tragedy, what is our response? Will we meet for worship on Sunday as if all is right with the world, singing and laughing and enjoying fellowship, or will we be found on our knees, faces to the ground crying out to God? It is easy to look at Ahab and criticize him for his behaviour, wasn’t there something he could do, couldn’t he repent and lead the people back to God? Was it reasonable for him to spend time in rest and relaxation enjoying the benefits of his position while the people around him suffered? But the criticisms we make of Ahab could easily be leveled at the western church and we as individuals. In the face of the tragedy that our communities suffer with crime and drug epidemics, the increasing abortion and suicide rates and breakdowns in marriage and families isn’t there something we can do? As we see those in  Bangladesh or Somalia dying through lack of food, or women and children killed by acts of terrorism in Nigeria or Afghanistan is it reasonable for us to live as if there is nothing we can do?

Elijah had done all that he could; now it was in God’s hands alone. He had set the scene, prepared the way, all at God’s command, now he needed him to do the rest. And until God fulfilled his word Elijah was going to pray. He took himself aside, he bowed to the ground and he prayed. He prayed until the answer came, he had done everything practically that he could, but he could still pray. There will be times when we have done all we can, practically, but the solution has not come. Then we must pray. It is not time to eat and drink and refresh ourselves. It is not time to take our rest; it is time to pray. If there is need around you and if you are waiting for God to provide the miracle that will bring relief then it is time to come apart and pray.

Finishing the Job

The contest was over on Mt Carmel, or was it? Once fire fell in response to Elijah’s prayer the people responded by acknowledging God. But the job wasn’t finished. At Elijah’s command the people who had just been overawed by the demonstration of God’s power and glory were commanded to seize the false prophets. None were to escape, every one of them was to be taken and held. Once this was done Elijah commanded that they be taken down the mountain to the Brook Kishon where he, or others acting on his behalf slaughtered them. The Bible could have said they were put to death, or even executed but it doesn’t it says these people were slaughtered. This was a savage display of brutality, no mercy was given and no excuses were considered. The false prophets were slaughtered.

These men had led Israel into sin; they had deliberately contrived to lead the people away from God. They had to be destroyed. It was not enough for them to be deposed from power or shown up to be the frauds they were, they had to be removed. There may be things in your life that have led you astray. There may be habits, or misplaced priorities, perhaps even attitudes and bitterness. If these things exist and are causing you to leave the altar of true faith and follow after the false illusion of religious activity then they need to be slaughtered. There is no place for neat surgical excision, they must be butchered. What is true of us as individuals is certainly equally true of the congregations to which we belong. While I do not want to suggest that the church of God in all of its expressions is following after false prophets there is no question that much of the church in the west has been seduced away from the truth and into the trap of the world.

In those areas of the world where the church is growing it is characterized by passion, sincerity and truth. Worship in these congregations is vital and genuine but it results in changed lives and demonstrations of righteousness. Where the church struggles to maintain its existence it is characterized by compromise, mediocrity and lethargy. The false prophets of this world try to convince us that the evidence of success includes the size of our congregation, the adequacy or beauty of our buildings and the size of our budget. Too often we are seduced into comparisons between churches on the basis of these things. Seldom do we hear of churches that are famous for their passion or zeal for righteousness. If the measure of our success is determined by the size of our congregation then we can justify the money we spend on making our buildings looking good, or the superiority of our sight and sound systems. We can preach sermons that are inoffensive or at least are calculated to make the hearers feel good when they leave – after all we wouldn’t want them to stay away because they are offended would we?

In our personal lives we are encouraged to fulfil our potential, to make sure that we don’t deny ourselves any pleasure or gratification. It’s all very well to be a Christian, but let’s not get carried away. Not too much religious zeal or enthusiasm. No need to study the bible yourself, there are plenty of commentaries out there – and they are quite inexpensive too. Just stay in the middle of the road, don’t get too hot, or too cold – wait a minute doesn’t that make us lukewarm? And don’t lukewarm Christians and churches make God sick?

Once the fire of God falls sin will become obvious and those things and people that have led us astray will become obvious. When they are, they must be slaughtered, no excuses, no rationalizations. Those sins, habits and attitudes must be pulled out by the root and destroyed. Wait until God reveals them and then act with ruthlessness, only then can we be sure that the fire will remain.