“The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth for the space of three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit” (James 5:16b-18).
Elijah’s Stand
Elijah the prophet at God’s direction told King Ahab the rain would stop. (I Kings 17 and 18. After announcing the drought, Elijah went into hiding. God miraculously preserved his life for three and a half years.
After that, famine fell across the land and everyone was struggling. Then, God directed Elijah to come out of hiding and tell King Ahab rain was coming. Before the rain, God had something to say to the nation. Everyone in Israel gathered, including King Ahab.
The test at Mount Carmel
They were to prepare their sacrifice but not start the fire. Elijah distinguished between Baal and God, inviting the Baal prophets to go first. If Baal was the true God he would send fire to ignite it. The contest would then be over; everyone should worship him. Baal never responded to his prophets pleas to burn up the sacrifice despite their valiant efforts.
Now Elijah prepared the sacrifice for God. Elijah spoke to God and everyone listened. “LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that thou are God in Israel, and that I am thy servant and that I have done all these things at thy word” (I Kings 18:36b). God’s response: “Then the fire of the LORD fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench” (I Kings 18:38).
Seeing this, the people worshiped God and destroyed the Baal prophets. The sin out of the way God was ready to replenish the earth and responded to Elijah’s prayers for rain.
Jezebel’s threat to Elijah
Back at home in the palace, after traveling through a drenching downpour King Ahab told Queen Jezebel the events of the day. Upon learning her favorite Baal prophets had been killed, Jezebel retaliated, sending Elijah a death threat. Now this spiritual giant of a man crumbled like dry bread. Intimidated, Elijah despaired of life. At this low point in Elijah’s life God strengthened him. He had more things for Elijah to do.
Elijah’s fervent prayers
No matter your personality, God has something for you to do for Him. Life after all is not about us but about what God wants to do using us as His instruments. Elijah had a flair for the dramatic but he also knew how to be quiet. Elijah had a mountaintop experience when he dramatically showed the people God is the true God; we should worship Him alone. When the queen threatened his life, Elijah temporarily forgot God made the valleys also. Through it all God answered Elijah’s prayers for the rain to stop and for rain to begin again. May God answer your cries to Him today and give you rest in your heart as He carries the weight of your burdens.
Shirley Logsdon
