Apparently, the days of Elijah were filled with trials, famine (of the Word), drought, peril, apostasy, Baal worship and discouragement but this did not dissuade the prophet Elijah from doing the work that God assigned him and so must the church (we) today. We as a church and our nation are living in similar times.
How did God impact the days of Elijah amidst great turmoil?
1. Days of Miracles (signs and wonders)
2. Days of Double-Anointing
3. Days of Harvest (Rain)
James 5:17 tells us “Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months.” In 1 Kings 18, God promised and ended the drought and sent the rain.
Isaiah 44:3 prophesied, “For I will pour out water on the thirsty land and streams on the dry ground, I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring, and My blessing on your descendants.”
Rain is what gives life and brings the harvest. It is what transforms the landscape of our lives.
(i) Rain on ME: We see a very clear example of this in the experience of Elijah. God told Elijah there would be a drought for 3½ years. In order for the drought to happen it was necessary for Elijah to pray that it occurs (James 5:17). Three and a half years later, God promised to send rain and end the draught (1 Kings 18:1, 41-44). Again, Elijah knew it was necessary for him to pray for the rain if rain were to come even though it was God’s will to send the rain. We are told that Elijah had to pray seven times before the rain came. Elijah knew if he stopped praying for God to fulfill His promise to send rain and the rain would not come.
(ii) Rain on MY CHURCH: True revival takes place when the bride of Christ is awakened to the call of the bridegroom and renewed by His very presence making her ready for Him. The church today professes to be the people of God and if so 2 Chronicles 7:14 says, “If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”
(iii) Rain on our CITY: Rain on one city, but no rain on the other city. God will send the rain on one city, while the city not rained on will dry up. Today we have people teaching formulas for Church Growth. That is nonsense as God doesn’t work that way. There is a missing ingredient-the sovereign grace of God; His Spirit being outpoured. His Word does not return void. Some people will be saved, one here and one there but if you're talking about a massive harvest, no rain means no grain! However, Elijah was a man who could make it rain. And he was a man with a nature like ours. In other words, if he can do it. We can do it. (The Rain Man)
(iv) Rain on our STATE: Rain has a dual implication. First as refreshing where there has been dryness and barrenness (Joel 2:23-29). Second, as restoration where there has been loss (Isa. 28:11-12). The “pouring out” Peter refers to at Pentecost (Acts 2:17) is not an abstract use of the word; it has to do with “latter rain” that brought about the hastening of the harvest and fruitful crops. The Lord is saying that He will send rain to fields [people] that are totally barren as a promise of hope.
(v) Rain on our NATION: Beginning in Joel 2:28, says, “And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh.” One of the surprising outcomes of Joel’s prophecy was that even non-Jews were filled with the Spirit. In Acts 10:45 we read, “The believers from among the circumcised … were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even on the Gentiles.” God was lavishing His Spirit on everyone who believed in Jesus, regardless of their culture, nationality, or ethnicity. “All people,” as Joel had said, were offered this gift.
Application: We are living in similar days like the days of Elijah the prophet. What needs to be revived are MIRACLES, DOUBLE-ANOINTING and THE HARVEST in our churches. You and I have a major role to play.
