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.