3. What about my needs?
Is there a place for selfish prayers? I have heard of people driving around a parking lot looking and praying for a parking place near to the door of the mall. How is such a prayer God honouring? God may want us to leave that place for someone needier than ourselves. There are those that say we should “name it and claim it” or we should visualize the answer to our prayer. We need to learn that it is not about us but it is about the glory of God.
Hannah’s prayer was a selfish prayer but God honoured that prayer. Even though she could not see beyond her hurt and pain God did and the answer to her prayer not only brought healing to Hannah but it was a turning point for Israel. Even though her prayer seemed to have selfish motives it was about the glory of God.
Samson prayed a selfish prayer when he was brought before the Philistines and even though God honoured that prayer the answer was more about the glory and righteousness of God than about revenge for Samson’s eyes.
There has been much written in the past few years about the prayer of Jabez. Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. His mother had named him Jabez, saying, "I gave birth to him in pain." Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, "Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain." And God granted his request. 1 Chronicles 4:9 – 10. Should we pray prayers like that? I do believe that there are times when such prayers are honoured but too often we become self centered in our prayers rather than God centered.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
How not to Pray. Part 2
2. Our needs or God’s glory
First, even though Elijah prayed that he might die we know that he did not want this prayer to be answered right away. If he was serious about that prayer all he needed to do was to stay in Samaria and Jezebel would have ended his life but instead we see him running away. Sometimes we pray a certain way because of emotion of the circumstances. We have taken our eyes off the Lord.
Second, after a spiritual high we are often most vulnerable. Elijah may have thought that he was important after all look at the outcome. He had prayed that it wouldn’t rain and for three and one half years there had been no rain or dew. He prayed for fire on Mount Carmel and the fire fell. He prayed for rain and the rains came. No one else in all Israel had accomplished what he had done. God was not using the other prophets, He was using Him. It was easy for the enemy to tempt Elijah with his importance. After a spiritual victory in our own lives we need to take our eyes off ourselves and “fix our eyes on Jesus.”
Third, we are often more concerned with our service for God than our holiness before God. It is easy for us to focus on our service and miss the blessings that God has for us.
Fourth, if God had answered Elijah’s prayer the way he had prayed then he would have missed the greatest blessing that God could bestow upon him, that is, to be translated to heaven without dying. Sometimes God will give us our desires but we have leanness in our souls. However, our Lord is tender. “As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him.” Psalm 103:13.
Fifth, sometimes we miss the answer to our prayers because our ears are not tuned to God but to our own desires. We are asking for one thing to make our lives easier and God desires to give us something else to make our lives holier.
First, even though Elijah prayed that he might die we know that he did not want this prayer to be answered right away. If he was serious about that prayer all he needed to do was to stay in Samaria and Jezebel would have ended his life but instead we see him running away. Sometimes we pray a certain way because of emotion of the circumstances. We have taken our eyes off the Lord.
Second, after a spiritual high we are often most vulnerable. Elijah may have thought that he was important after all look at the outcome. He had prayed that it wouldn’t rain and for three and one half years there had been no rain or dew. He prayed for fire on Mount Carmel and the fire fell. He prayed for rain and the rains came. No one else in all Israel had accomplished what he had done. God was not using the other prophets, He was using Him. It was easy for the enemy to tempt Elijah with his importance. After a spiritual victory in our own lives we need to take our eyes off ourselves and “fix our eyes on Jesus.”
Third, we are often more concerned with our service for God than our holiness before God. It is easy for us to focus on our service and miss the blessings that God has for us.
Fourth, if God had answered Elijah’s prayer the way he had prayed then he would have missed the greatest blessing that God could bestow upon him, that is, to be translated to heaven without dying. Sometimes God will give us our desires but we have leanness in our souls. However, our Lord is tender. “As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him.” Psalm 103:13.
Fifth, sometimes we miss the answer to our prayers because our ears are not tuned to God but to our own desires. We are asking for one thing to make our lives easier and God desires to give us something else to make our lives holier.
Monday, July 27, 2009
How not to Pray. Part 1
He came to a broom tree, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. "I have had enough, LORD," he said. "Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors." 1 Kings 19:4
When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures. James 4:3
1. Keep our eyes on the Lord
God doesn’t answer all our prayers in the way we expect Him to answer. God’s ways are not our ways and He knows what is best for us. As we yield ourselves to Him we can be assured of the promise of Scripture that all things do work together for good. However, we need to accept that promise in faith knowing that the “good” that God sees for us and those around us may be completely different than the good that we have imagined. We need to know that when God works all things for good we may never know the outcome this side of heaven.
Elijah prayed that he might die. He had just come from two powerful answers to his prayers. At the height of victory he was most vulnerable. He took his eyes off the Lord and focused his eyes on the circumstances.
Many times we have seen this happen in Scripture as well as in our own lives. Lot saw the well watered plane and did not see that God could supply all his needs. Abraham saw the dangers of Egypt and was afraid for his life so he took the situation into his own hands and told Pharaoh that Sarah was his sister. The ten spies saw the giants in the land, Peter saw the waves, John wanted to call down fire from heaven, Saul was concerned with his reputation before the people and Elijah was concerned with the threat to his life. The writer of Hebrews reminds us to “fix our eyes on Jesus” Hebrews 12:2.
When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures. James 4:3
1. Keep our eyes on the Lord
God doesn’t answer all our prayers in the way we expect Him to answer. God’s ways are not our ways and He knows what is best for us. As we yield ourselves to Him we can be assured of the promise of Scripture that all things do work together for good. However, we need to accept that promise in faith knowing that the “good” that God sees for us and those around us may be completely different than the good that we have imagined. We need to know that when God works all things for good we may never know the outcome this side of heaven.
Elijah prayed that he might die. He had just come from two powerful answers to his prayers. At the height of victory he was most vulnerable. He took his eyes off the Lord and focused his eyes on the circumstances.
Many times we have seen this happen in Scripture as well as in our own lives. Lot saw the well watered plane and did not see that God could supply all his needs. Abraham saw the dangers of Egypt and was afraid for his life so he took the situation into his own hands and told Pharaoh that Sarah was his sister. The ten spies saw the giants in the land, Peter saw the waves, John wanted to call down fire from heaven, Saul was concerned with his reputation before the people and Elijah was concerned with the threat to his life. The writer of Hebrews reminds us to “fix our eyes on Jesus” Hebrews 12:2.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Abundance of Rain Conclusion
3. Fire and rain
There are other lessons we need to learn from the events upon Mount Carmel. We need to know that in our Christian lives we need both fire and rain. Many times we want the refreshing rain but we do not want the cleansing of fire. In order for new life to begin in the forests there is the need for both fire and rain. Fire clears away the rubbish while rain nurtures the new life.
When the fire came on Mount Carmel only the people that witnessed the fire and responded to the judgment benefited but when the rain came everyone benefited. Not only those that repented and acknowledged God to be God but even Ahab and those in his household benefited. So it is with Christians who have been filled with the Holy Spirit. When a Christian is filled with the Spirit he or she will bring refreshment upon the world around them.
The Christian is instructed to pray for rain. Ask the LORD for rain in the springtime; it is the LORD who makes the storm clouds. He gives showers of rain to men, and plants of the field to everyone. Zechariah 10:1. When we are obedient then even those around us, believers and nonbelievers will benefit.
There are other lessons we need to learn from the events upon Mount Carmel. We need to know that in our Christian lives we need both fire and rain. Many times we want the refreshing rain but we do not want the cleansing of fire. In order for new life to begin in the forests there is the need for both fire and rain. Fire clears away the rubbish while rain nurtures the new life.
When the fire came on Mount Carmel only the people that witnessed the fire and responded to the judgment benefited but when the rain came everyone benefited. Not only those that repented and acknowledged God to be God but even Ahab and those in his household benefited. So it is with Christians who have been filled with the Holy Spirit. When a Christian is filled with the Spirit he or she will bring refreshment upon the world around them.
The Christian is instructed to pray for rain. Ask the LORD for rain in the springtime; it is the LORD who makes the storm clouds. He gives showers of rain to men, and plants of the field to everyone. Zechariah 10:1. When we are obedient then even those around us, believers and nonbelievers will benefit.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Abundance of Rain Part 3
2. Lessons from Mount Carmel
There are some important lessons for us to learn from the prayers of Elijah. First, public prayer, the prayer for fire, and private prayer, the prayer for rain, are often very different. Our public prayers can be short because our private prayers have been long. We must not be like the Pharisees who used their prayers to impress others with their spirituality.
Second, God ordains the ends but not necessarily the means. In both cases Elijah was certain of God’s promise but he knew that there is not a prescribed formula for prayer. Sometimes we are to step out in faith and other times we are to wait in faith. Sometimes we can claim the promise of God for the moment and other times we must wait upon the promise of God.
Third, it is not a lack of faith to plead with God or wrestle with God in prayer. Jacob wrestled with God all night and would not let go until God blessed him. Was Jacob changing God’s mind when he wrestled in prayer? No, God was changing Jacob. He was waiting for Jacob to submit to the authority of God and not to rely on his own strength.
Fourth, Elijah shows that we must never give up in our prayers. What would have been the outcome if Elijah quit after three times, or four times or even six times? Would he have continued if there was no confirmation after seven times? I believe that Elijah would have stayed in prayer as long as it took for God to answer. How long should we pray for that lost one, that sick friend, that financial need? We must pray until we have the answer. The answers to our prayers are as different as our prayers. God cannot be controlled by us. He is not in our debt. However, He wants us to come to Him in faith.
Finally, when God answers our prayers there is a temptation for us to revel in our success. God knows that our successes bring temptations so He separated Elijah from the others. Our natural tendency is to enjoy the accolades from others but God desires that we remain humble. We may think that the answer came because of us but God will not share His glory with anyone. He wants us to get out of the way so that He alone will receive the honour and glory.
There are some important lessons for us to learn from the prayers of Elijah. First, public prayer, the prayer for fire, and private prayer, the prayer for rain, are often very different. Our public prayers can be short because our private prayers have been long. We must not be like the Pharisees who used their prayers to impress others with their spirituality.
Second, God ordains the ends but not necessarily the means. In both cases Elijah was certain of God’s promise but he knew that there is not a prescribed formula for prayer. Sometimes we are to step out in faith and other times we are to wait in faith. Sometimes we can claim the promise of God for the moment and other times we must wait upon the promise of God.
Third, it is not a lack of faith to plead with God or wrestle with God in prayer. Jacob wrestled with God all night and would not let go until God blessed him. Was Jacob changing God’s mind when he wrestled in prayer? No, God was changing Jacob. He was waiting for Jacob to submit to the authority of God and not to rely on his own strength.
Fourth, Elijah shows that we must never give up in our prayers. What would have been the outcome if Elijah quit after three times, or four times or even six times? Would he have continued if there was no confirmation after seven times? I believe that Elijah would have stayed in prayer as long as it took for God to answer. How long should we pray for that lost one, that sick friend, that financial need? We must pray until we have the answer. The answers to our prayers are as different as our prayers. God cannot be controlled by us. He is not in our debt. However, He wants us to come to Him in faith.
Finally, when God answers our prayers there is a temptation for us to revel in our success. God knows that our successes bring temptations so He separated Elijah from the others. Our natural tendency is to enjoy the accolades from others but God desires that we remain humble. We may think that the answer came because of us but God will not share His glory with anyone. He wants us to get out of the way so that He alone will receive the honour and glory.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Abundance of Rain Part 2
1. God’s ways are not our ways.
How often we fall into the trap of thinking that God acted in a certain way one time then he would act in the same way every time. There are those that teach that if we follow a certain pattern then God will act. We cannot put God into a box. God cannot be controlled by us. We are coming to the Almighty God and we must see that God will be God. The answer to Elijah’s prayer for fire was supernatural. It was not normal for fire to fall from heaven and then to burn up everything including the stones and the water. On the other hand, the answer to Elijah’s prayer for rain was natural. God sent the clouds from the west and the rain fell as rain always falls.
There are others that say that it is a lack of faith to keep coming to God with the same request. They say that we should come to God with our request and then believe that He will answer that prayer. However, this does not follow the pattern of scripture. Abraham pleaded for Sodom and kept coming to God. Jacob wrestled with God all night before God blessed him. Paul asked that the thorn in his flesh be removed three times before God showed him that He had something better for him.
Elijah had announced to Ahab that there was the sound of the abundance of rain. Elijah was a man of faith and it was with faith ears that heard the sound of rain. Hebrews 11:1 says, “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” Elijah was sure of what he could not hear or see because he had the promise of his God.
If Elijah was so certain of what he could not see or hear then why did he pray seven times for rain? Elijah knew that God ordains the ends but not always the means.
How often we fall into the trap of thinking that God acted in a certain way one time then he would act in the same way every time. There are those that teach that if we follow a certain pattern then God will act. We cannot put God into a box. God cannot be controlled by us. We are coming to the Almighty God and we must see that God will be God. The answer to Elijah’s prayer for fire was supernatural. It was not normal for fire to fall from heaven and then to burn up everything including the stones and the water. On the other hand, the answer to Elijah’s prayer for rain was natural. God sent the clouds from the west and the rain fell as rain always falls.
There are others that say that it is a lack of faith to keep coming to God with the same request. They say that we should come to God with our request and then believe that He will answer that prayer. However, this does not follow the pattern of scripture. Abraham pleaded for Sodom and kept coming to God. Jacob wrestled with God all night before God blessed him. Paul asked that the thorn in his flesh be removed three times before God showed him that He had something better for him.
Elijah had announced to Ahab that there was the sound of the abundance of rain. Elijah was a man of faith and it was with faith ears that heard the sound of rain. Hebrews 11:1 says, “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” Elijah was sure of what he could not hear or see because he had the promise of his God.
If Elijah was so certain of what he could not see or hear then why did he pray seven times for rain? Elijah knew that God ordains the ends but not always the means.
Monday, July 20, 2009
Abundance of Rain Part 1
And Elijah said to Ahab, "Go, eat and drink, for there is the sound of a heavy rain." 1 Kings 18:41
Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops. James 5:18
Elijah knew that as soon as the fire fell rain would follow. God had given him the promise that He would send rain. However, even though Elijah knew that God would send both fire and rain the prayer for rain was much different that the prayer for fire. The prayer for fire was a short prayer while he had to go to God seven times before God sent the rain. It wasn’t that he had more faith when he prayed for fire but it shows that God does not act in the same way every time.
Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops. James 5:18
Elijah knew that as soon as the fire fell rain would follow. God had given him the promise that He would send rain. However, even though Elijah knew that God would send both fire and rain the prayer for rain was much different that the prayer for fire. The prayer for fire was a short prayer while he had to go to God seven times before God sent the rain. It wasn’t that he had more faith when he prayed for fire but it shows that God does not act in the same way every time.
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Systematic Theology
I have a friend who questioned me about systematic theology. She couldn't understand why it was necessary. I see it a little more clearly today. We were looking into the doctrinal position about hell from a church in a nearby city. They teach that everyone will end up in heaven eventually but it may take many years in hell before they repent. The implications of that position is enormous when it comes to other theological positions. Ultimately it ends up with a humanistic approach to doctrine rather than a God-centered approach. That is why we need systematic theology so that we understand how one belief effects another. Of course we live in a post-modern age when our beliefs do not have to be consistent.
Friday, July 17, 2009
Fall Like Fire Conclusion
4. The People’s Response
When all the people saw this, they fell prostrate and cried, "The LORD -he is God! The LORD -he is God!" 1 Kings 18:39. They repeated their confession twice like the two witnesses that were needed to confirm something to be true. Elijah immediately instructed the people to destroy the prophets of Baal. He knew that if they remained alive then the people would quickly turn back to their old ways.
Did the people remain true to their confession? It was only a few years later that God had to bring judgment upon the people because of their idolatry. If we shake our heads and wonder how people who saw the power of God could so quickly turn away and worship false gods we need only to look at history. The people declared Jesus to be a king on Palm Sunday but less than a week later they were calling for His crucifixion. After the events of 9-11 in the US people returned to churches but within a year they had gone back to their old ways. The hearts of men are fickle.
We often talk about the Lord God of Elijah but the same God is at work in the world today. The only thing that made Elijah unique was that he was aware of the presence and power of His God. He knew that one man with God was a majority. He had nothing to fear when God was on his side. Elijah’s prayer on Mount Carmel was a short prayer because he had spent time in private prayer. Our prayers in public will only have power if we have spent time in the prayer closet alone with our God.
When all the people saw this, they fell prostrate and cried, "The LORD -he is God! The LORD -he is God!" 1 Kings 18:39. They repeated their confession twice like the two witnesses that were needed to confirm something to be true. Elijah immediately instructed the people to destroy the prophets of Baal. He knew that if they remained alive then the people would quickly turn back to their old ways.
Did the people remain true to their confession? It was only a few years later that God had to bring judgment upon the people because of their idolatry. If we shake our heads and wonder how people who saw the power of God could so quickly turn away and worship false gods we need only to look at history. The people declared Jesus to be a king on Palm Sunday but less than a week later they were calling for His crucifixion. After the events of 9-11 in the US people returned to churches but within a year they had gone back to their old ways. The hearts of men are fickle.
We often talk about the Lord God of Elijah but the same God is at work in the world today. The only thing that made Elijah unique was that he was aware of the presence and power of His God. He knew that one man with God was a majority. He had nothing to fear when God was on his side. Elijah’s prayer on Mount Carmel was a short prayer because he had spent time in private prayer. Our prayers in public will only have power if we have spent time in the prayer closet alone with our God.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Fall Like Fire Part 4
3. By Prayer and Fasting
There is an amazing story in Mark 9. Jesus had been on the Mount of Transfiguration with Peter, James and John. When they come down from the mountain the other disciples are in a quandary. A man has brought his son to them to be healed and the disciples had prayed over him but there was no result so the disciples ask Jesus why they couldn’t drive out the evil spirit. Jesus replied that this could only be done by prayer. However, the remarkable thing is that Jesus did not pray. The reason that Jesus did not pray was not because He was God but because He had prayed in private. When you read the Gospel of Mark you notice that Jesus did spend a great deal of time in prayer. It was the same with Elijah. He had spent many hours and days praying while he was in solitude so that when he came to the offering on Mount Carmel he knew that God would answer his prayer.
There is an amazing story in Mark 9. Jesus had been on the Mount of Transfiguration with Peter, James and John. When they come down from the mountain the other disciples are in a quandary. A man has brought his son to them to be healed and the disciples had prayed over him but there was no result so the disciples ask Jesus why they couldn’t drive out the evil spirit. Jesus replied that this could only be done by prayer. However, the remarkable thing is that Jesus did not pray. The reason that Jesus did not pray was not because He was God but because He had prayed in private. When you read the Gospel of Mark you notice that Jesus did spend a great deal of time in prayer. It was the same with Elijah. He had spent many hours and days praying while he was in solitude so that when he came to the offering on Mount Carmel he knew that God would answer his prayer.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Fall Like Fire Part 3
2. Elijah’s Invitation
After the prophets of Baal had cried out to their God for the better part of the day then it was Elijah’s turn. He begins his ministry with the invitation to come. Christianity is very much the religion of “come and see” before “go and tell”. Jesus gave the invitation, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28 The invitation from our Lord is always for us to draw near to Him. He has promised that if we will draw near to Him then He will draw near to us. Tozer has said that God will take nine steps toward us but we must take the tenth step. God will draw near to those you desire Him with their whole heart. The Lord’s final invitation in the Bible is to come to Him. The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life. Revelation 22:17. The Lord’s final promise to us is that He is coming again. He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.” Revelation 22:20a. The final prayer in the Bible is that the Lord will come. Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. Revelation 22:20b
When the people had come around Elijah he commanded them to rebuild the altar. He instructed them to take twelve stones which represented the twelve tribes of Israel and to construct the altar with those uncut stones. After the altar was repaired he carefully arranged the wood on the altar before he cut up the bull and laid it on the wood. Everything was to be done properly and in order. There was nor rush to get to the challenge. He had waited three and one half years for this day and he could wait a little longer. He knew he was coming into the presence of the Holy God and he had to prepare the people for such an encounter.
A. W. Tozer said, “Theological facts are like the altar of Elijah on Carmel before the fire came, correct, properly laid out, but altogether cold.”
After everything was ready he then did a very unusual thing. He asked that the altar and the sacrifice be drenched with water. He had the people take four barrels and go and fill them with water and pour it upon the sacrifice. He not only did it once but he did it again and then again until the altar was drenched with twelve barrels of water. He was not letting the false prophets accuse him of using trickery to bring fire upon the sacrifice. One of the tricks that the prophets of Baal used was to hide fire in the sacrifice so that when they prayed for fire it would appear that the fire was sent as an answer to their prayer. Elijah wanted the people to know that the fire did not come from some clever trick of man but it was the fire of the Holy God.
Scoffers have often mocked the account of Elijah because of the pouring of the water on the sacrifice. They point out that it was drought time and it hadn’t rained for over three years. Elijah knew that this was to be a true miracle of God and to see the power of God act they had to make a sacrifice. I do not know where the people got the water but to pour water on the altar was a true sacrifice. Water was the most precious thing they had and I am sure that the people thought that it was a foolish waste. However, they followed Elijah’s command and poured the water on the sacrifice.
Elijah’s prayer stands in contrast to the prayers of the false prophets. They had prayed for over six hours but Elijah’s prayer took only thirty seconds. In most of our English Bibles the prayer is about sixty words.
Elijah appeals to the covenant relation of God to Israel. He said, "O LORD , God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, let it be known today that you are God in Israel and that I am your servant and have done all these things at your command. Answer me, O LORD, answer me, so these people will know that you, O LORD, are God, and that you are turning their hearts back again." I Kings 18:36 – 37 He used the covenant name of the patriarchs, Abraham rather than Abram and Israel rather than Jacob. We often talk about the God of Elijah but he referred to the God of the Patriarchs. He then prayed that God’s glory would be revealed. Elijah was not concerned with his reputation but with the reputation of his God. When we come to God in prayer we need to be reminded that we are coming to a holy God who will not share His glory with anyone. Our prayers should be about God’s glory rather than our reputation. Elijah knew that when the people saw the glory of God then their hearts would be turned back to Him.
Then the answer came; fire fell from heaven and consumed everything, not only the sacrifice on the altar but the very altar itself as well as the water in the trench around the altar. The fire that came was not a lightning bolt from a cloud overhead. There was not a cloud in the sky. The fire was the fire of the Holy Spirit. This was not some controlled fire but the wild fire of the Holy Spirit. How often we want the controlled fire of God in our lives but if we want the fire of the Holy Spirit then we must be prepared for the wild fire in our lives.
In order for new growth to take place in the forests of Northern Ontario the dead wood has to be burned away. As the fire burns away the old wood the pine cones burst open and new trees begin to grow. Many times conservation officers try to use a controlled burn but most of the time the burns that take place are wild fires. Even many of the controlled burns turn into wild fires. Fire is very difficult to control and so it is with the Holy Spirit. If He is to have His way then He cannot be controlled.
Why was everything destroyed? God did not want the people coming to Carmel to worship the stones of the altar. God is a spirit and if we are to worship Him then we are to worship Him in spirit and in truth. Carmel may have been a special place but it was special because God met the people there.
After the prophets of Baal had cried out to their God for the better part of the day then it was Elijah’s turn. He begins his ministry with the invitation to come. Christianity is very much the religion of “come and see” before “go and tell”. Jesus gave the invitation, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28 The invitation from our Lord is always for us to draw near to Him. He has promised that if we will draw near to Him then He will draw near to us. Tozer has said that God will take nine steps toward us but we must take the tenth step. God will draw near to those you desire Him with their whole heart. The Lord’s final invitation in the Bible is to come to Him. The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life. Revelation 22:17. The Lord’s final promise to us is that He is coming again. He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.” Revelation 22:20a. The final prayer in the Bible is that the Lord will come. Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. Revelation 22:20b
When the people had come around Elijah he commanded them to rebuild the altar. He instructed them to take twelve stones which represented the twelve tribes of Israel and to construct the altar with those uncut stones. After the altar was repaired he carefully arranged the wood on the altar before he cut up the bull and laid it on the wood. Everything was to be done properly and in order. There was nor rush to get to the challenge. He had waited three and one half years for this day and he could wait a little longer. He knew he was coming into the presence of the Holy God and he had to prepare the people for such an encounter.
A. W. Tozer said, “Theological facts are like the altar of Elijah on Carmel before the fire came, correct, properly laid out, but altogether cold.”
After everything was ready he then did a very unusual thing. He asked that the altar and the sacrifice be drenched with water. He had the people take four barrels and go and fill them with water and pour it upon the sacrifice. He not only did it once but he did it again and then again until the altar was drenched with twelve barrels of water. He was not letting the false prophets accuse him of using trickery to bring fire upon the sacrifice. One of the tricks that the prophets of Baal used was to hide fire in the sacrifice so that when they prayed for fire it would appear that the fire was sent as an answer to their prayer. Elijah wanted the people to know that the fire did not come from some clever trick of man but it was the fire of the Holy God.
Scoffers have often mocked the account of Elijah because of the pouring of the water on the sacrifice. They point out that it was drought time and it hadn’t rained for over three years. Elijah knew that this was to be a true miracle of God and to see the power of God act they had to make a sacrifice. I do not know where the people got the water but to pour water on the altar was a true sacrifice. Water was the most precious thing they had and I am sure that the people thought that it was a foolish waste. However, they followed Elijah’s command and poured the water on the sacrifice.
Elijah’s prayer stands in contrast to the prayers of the false prophets. They had prayed for over six hours but Elijah’s prayer took only thirty seconds. In most of our English Bibles the prayer is about sixty words.
Elijah appeals to the covenant relation of God to Israel. He said, "O LORD , God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, let it be known today that you are God in Israel and that I am your servant and have done all these things at your command. Answer me, O LORD, answer me, so these people will know that you, O LORD, are God, and that you are turning their hearts back again." I Kings 18:36 – 37 He used the covenant name of the patriarchs, Abraham rather than Abram and Israel rather than Jacob. We often talk about the God of Elijah but he referred to the God of the Patriarchs. He then prayed that God’s glory would be revealed. Elijah was not concerned with his reputation but with the reputation of his God. When we come to God in prayer we need to be reminded that we are coming to a holy God who will not share His glory with anyone. Our prayers should be about God’s glory rather than our reputation. Elijah knew that when the people saw the glory of God then their hearts would be turned back to Him.
Then the answer came; fire fell from heaven and consumed everything, not only the sacrifice on the altar but the very altar itself as well as the water in the trench around the altar. The fire that came was not a lightning bolt from a cloud overhead. There was not a cloud in the sky. The fire was the fire of the Holy Spirit. This was not some controlled fire but the wild fire of the Holy Spirit. How often we want the controlled fire of God in our lives but if we want the fire of the Holy Spirit then we must be prepared for the wild fire in our lives.
In order for new growth to take place in the forests of Northern Ontario the dead wood has to be burned away. As the fire burns away the old wood the pine cones burst open and new trees begin to grow. Many times conservation officers try to use a controlled burn but most of the time the burns that take place are wild fires. Even many of the controlled burns turn into wild fires. Fire is very difficult to control and so it is with the Holy Spirit. If He is to have His way then He cannot be controlled.
Why was everything destroyed? God did not want the people coming to Carmel to worship the stones of the altar. God is a spirit and if we are to worship Him then we are to worship Him in spirit and in truth. Carmel may have been a special place but it was special because God met the people there.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Fall Like Fire Part 2
1. Elijah’s Challenge
Elijah’s challenge to the false prophets of Baal was that the God who answers by fire would be the true God. He did not say “the God who answers by rain or by water” even though it was water that they needed. Baal was the god of fire so Elijah was challenging the false prophets in their territory. The false prophets did not know that Yahweh was the God of fire. He spoke to Moses from a burning bush. He led the Israelites by a pillar of fire by night.
Elijah instructed the false prophets of Baal that they could go first. This wasn’t just a matter of courtesy but rather he knew that inorder for the people to get right with Yahweh Baal had to be destroyed. Os Guinness said, “A better way for constructive engagement is to follow the prophetic dynamic of the gospel itself – law before gospel, judgment before grace, repentance before regeneration, and the disproof of Baal before the demonstration of Yahweh. We must require prophetic confrontation before personal and social transformation.” No God but God. Page 15.
Elijah’s challenge to the false prophets of Baal was that the God who answers by fire would be the true God. He did not say “the God who answers by rain or by water” even though it was water that they needed. Baal was the god of fire so Elijah was challenging the false prophets in their territory. The false prophets did not know that Yahweh was the God of fire. He spoke to Moses from a burning bush. He led the Israelites by a pillar of fire by night.
Elijah instructed the false prophets of Baal that they could go first. This wasn’t just a matter of courtesy but rather he knew that inorder for the people to get right with Yahweh Baal had to be destroyed. Os Guinness said, “A better way for constructive engagement is to follow the prophetic dynamic of the gospel itself – law before gospel, judgment before grace, repentance before regeneration, and the disproof of Baal before the demonstration of Yahweh. We must require prophetic confrontation before personal and social transformation.” No God but God. Page 15.
Monday, July 13, 2009
Fall Like Fire Part 1
“Then the fire of the LORD fell and burned up the sacrifice, the wood, the stones and the soil, and also licked up the water in the trench.” 1 Kings 18:38
“Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.” John 17:17
Fire speaks of the cleansing work of the Holy Spirit. Fire does only one thing; it destroys everything it touches except what it cannot burn. That is the way the fire of the Holy Spirit is in our lives. He will burn away the dross and leave what is precious. Fire even when it is controlled is a dangerous thing and so it is with the Holy Spirit. When the fire of the Holy Spirit is allowed to burn in our lives then some of what we thought was precious may be burned up by the fire.
“Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.” John 17:17
Fire speaks of the cleansing work of the Holy Spirit. Fire does only one thing; it destroys everything it touches except what it cannot burn. That is the way the fire of the Holy Spirit is in our lives. He will burn away the dross and leave what is precious. Fire even when it is controlled is a dangerous thing and so it is with the Holy Spirit. When the fire of the Holy Spirit is allowed to burn in our lives then some of what we thought was precious may be burned up by the fire.
Sunday, July 12, 2009
What is normal?
Today Pastor Gord preached another great sermon from Judges. Just as in the days of the judges we live in a time of culture chaos. This was brought home to me this afternoon when our daughter talked about a baby she had seen born whose mother claimed to be on Tylenol but was addicted to another drug. The baby ended up having to be put on a drug so she could adjust. Then they sent the baby home with the mother. Our daughter questioned the logic of this and emailed her instructor. The instructor told her that they were no longer to question about relationships such as whether there was a father, whether they were married, etc. I know she considered her case as abnormal and she wanted to have a normal family, mom, dad married, a home etc. She was surprised in one way to discover that was not the normal anymore.
Thursday, July 9, 2009
No One Knows the Trouble You’ve Brought Conclusion
3. God’s ways are not our ways.
Paul learned that when he preached the gospel that those who heard the gospel and responded to it often found themselves facing trials. He wrote to Timothy, “In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” 2 Timothy 3:12
There is a wonderful illustration of this principle in the life of the disciples. The disciples had been with Jesus when He had fed the five thousand but at the end of the day He sent them away in the boat while He went up into the mountain to pray for them. While He prayed for them a great storm came and the disciples were afraid for their lives. Here they were in the center of God’s will and Jesus Himself was praying for them but they were in the midst of a storm which threatened to destroy them. This does not seem right. However, there was another battle going on that the disciples did not think about. It was a battle for their minds. If they had stayed on the shore they may have been caught up in the spirit to make Jesus an earthly king. It was not Jesus’ time and it was important that the disciples were removed from the temptation. They did not know that spiritually they were safer in the boat in the middle of the storm than they would have been on dry ground with those that wanted to make Jesus an earthly king.
It is often the same with those that we pray for. If God was to give them comfort then they may have missed what God’s best for them would be. When we pray for God’s work in another’s life whether it be for healing or comfort or anything we need to be aware that God’s agenda for that person may not be what we think. God may bring hardship upon those that we pray for so that they will become more like Christ. The very thing that threatened the disciples’ lives brought Jesus to them. The waters threatened to drown them but Jesus came to them walking on the water. So it often is with those that we pray for. The sickness or the hardship may be what God uses to have them draw near to Him.
A young lady who was working in a bar became a Christian and came under conviction of the type of work she was doing. She asked Christian friends to pray for her and the answer came that she was to leave that place of work. She needed the money and had no other job to go to but in obedience she resigned her position. The year following was a difficult one for her. She had lost her source of income and was unable to obtain another job. Some people would think that it was lack of faith on her part but she showed great faith by putting her faith in God above her very life.
The widow needed to learn this lesson. When Elijah restored her son to her she responded with these words, ‘Then the woman said to Elijah, "Now I know that you are a man of God and that the word of the LORD from your mouth is the truth."’ 1 Kings 17:24.
Paul learned that when he preached the gospel that those who heard the gospel and responded to it often found themselves facing trials. He wrote to Timothy, “In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” 2 Timothy 3:12
There is a wonderful illustration of this principle in the life of the disciples. The disciples had been with Jesus when He had fed the five thousand but at the end of the day He sent them away in the boat while He went up into the mountain to pray for them. While He prayed for them a great storm came and the disciples were afraid for their lives. Here they were in the center of God’s will and Jesus Himself was praying for them but they were in the midst of a storm which threatened to destroy them. This does not seem right. However, there was another battle going on that the disciples did not think about. It was a battle for their minds. If they had stayed on the shore they may have been caught up in the spirit to make Jesus an earthly king. It was not Jesus’ time and it was important that the disciples were removed from the temptation. They did not know that spiritually they were safer in the boat in the middle of the storm than they would have been on dry ground with those that wanted to make Jesus an earthly king.
It is often the same with those that we pray for. If God was to give them comfort then they may have missed what God’s best for them would be. When we pray for God’s work in another’s life whether it be for healing or comfort or anything we need to be aware that God’s agenda for that person may not be what we think. God may bring hardship upon those that we pray for so that they will become more like Christ. The very thing that threatened the disciples’ lives brought Jesus to them. The waters threatened to drown them but Jesus came to them walking on the water. So it often is with those that we pray for. The sickness or the hardship may be what God uses to have them draw near to Him.
A young lady who was working in a bar became a Christian and came under conviction of the type of work she was doing. She asked Christian friends to pray for her and the answer came that she was to leave that place of work. She needed the money and had no other job to go to but in obedience she resigned her position. The year following was a difficult one for her. She had lost her source of income and was unable to obtain another job. Some people would think that it was lack of faith on her part but she showed great faith by putting her faith in God above her very life.
The widow needed to learn this lesson. When Elijah restored her son to her she responded with these words, ‘Then the woman said to Elijah, "Now I know that you are a man of God and that the word of the LORD from your mouth is the truth."’ 1 Kings 17:24.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
No One Knows the Trouble You’ve Brought Part 3
2. Obedience is not easy
The Lord had another lesson for Elijah as well. When he instructed the widow to make him a cake to eat she told him that she had only enough flour and oil for one small cake. He then gave her this promise, “For this is what the LORD , the God of Israel, says: 'The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the LORD gives rain on the land.'" 1 Kings 17:14
The flour speaks of the Word of God and the oil of the Holy Spirit. The Word of God and the presence of the Holy Spirit would be sufficient for the day.
The woman had a choice. She could take her sticks, flour and oil and make a small cake for her and her son, eat it and then die or she could make a cake for Elijah. Whatever the choice she made she expected to die. In the first case later than in the second case but death appeared to be inevitable. It is the same with us. We can take our gifts, talents and abilities and use them for our own comfort or we can give them to God. When the widow gave her fits to God He blessed her and her son. She did not know that when she made the choice to make the cake for Elijah that God would preserve her life. Like the widow we have no guarantee of the outcome of our choice but we can be sure of this fact: If we keep the gifts and talents for ourselves that we will not be blessed.
However, after a period of time the woman’s son died. Why he died we do not know but we do know that man’s problems are God’s opportunities. Many times I have looked at a list of prayer requests and have been overwhelmed by the problems but then the Holy Spirit reminds me that they are opportunities to see the work of the Lord.
I am sure that as Elijah stayed at the woman’s house that he had spent many hours in prayer. What was the result of his prayer? The woman’s son died. Just as prayer can bring hardship upon ourselves as we saw when Elijah was at Kerith it can also bring hardship upon others. Many people treat prayer as a good luck charm but prayer has nothing to do with luck. Prayer is asking God to take control in our situation or the situation of others and when He takes control then the results will surprise us. As we said in our last study, God is more concerned with our holiness than He is with our comfort.
Concluded tomorrow LW
The Lord had another lesson for Elijah as well. When he instructed the widow to make him a cake to eat she told him that she had only enough flour and oil for one small cake. He then gave her this promise, “For this is what the LORD , the God of Israel, says: 'The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the LORD gives rain on the land.'" 1 Kings 17:14
The flour speaks of the Word of God and the oil of the Holy Spirit. The Word of God and the presence of the Holy Spirit would be sufficient for the day.
The woman had a choice. She could take her sticks, flour and oil and make a small cake for her and her son, eat it and then die or she could make a cake for Elijah. Whatever the choice she made she expected to die. In the first case later than in the second case but death appeared to be inevitable. It is the same with us. We can take our gifts, talents and abilities and use them for our own comfort or we can give them to God. When the widow gave her fits to God He blessed her and her son. She did not know that when she made the choice to make the cake for Elijah that God would preserve her life. Like the widow we have no guarantee of the outcome of our choice but we can be sure of this fact: If we keep the gifts and talents for ourselves that we will not be blessed.
However, after a period of time the woman’s son died. Why he died we do not know but we do know that man’s problems are God’s opportunities. Many times I have looked at a list of prayer requests and have been overwhelmed by the problems but then the Holy Spirit reminds me that they are opportunities to see the work of the Lord.
I am sure that as Elijah stayed at the woman’s house that he had spent many hours in prayer. What was the result of his prayer? The woman’s son died. Just as prayer can bring hardship upon ourselves as we saw when Elijah was at Kerith it can also bring hardship upon others. Many people treat prayer as a good luck charm but prayer has nothing to do with luck. Prayer is asking God to take control in our situation or the situation of others and when He takes control then the results will surprise us. As we said in our last study, God is more concerned with our holiness than He is with our comfort.
Concluded tomorrow LW
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
No One Knows the Trouble You’ve Brought Part 2
1. God’s timing is always right.
We are often impatient and wonder why God is not acting. Saul knew that he should wait but he grew impatient when Samuel did not come so he took matters into his own hands. I thought, 'Now the Philistines will come down against me at Gilgal, and I have not sought the LORD's favor.' So I felt compelled to offer the burnt offering." I Samuel 13:12. Because he decided not to wait for the Lord’s direction he suffered severe consequences. Samuel’s words were like a dagger in his heart. "You acted foolishly," Samuel said. "You have not kept the command the LORD your God gave you; if you had, he would have established your kingdom over Israel for all time. 1 Samuel 13:13
Many of God’s servants have learned the lesson that Elijah had to learn at Kerith and at Zarephath. Joseph was left in an Egyptian prison; Daniel spent the night in a lions’ den; Paul spent time in Arabia. These men learned the lesson and passed the test but Saul failed the test when he took matters into his own hands.
Elijah was instructed by the Lord to go to Zarephath of Sidon and it was there that the Lord had commanded a widow to feed him. How the Lord commanded the widow we do not know but I am sure that as the famine that was affecting the region had affected her country as well that she had cried out to God for mercy upon her and her son. Was she a believer? The evidence from the text seems to tell us that she knew of the God of Israel and she knew that the famine was the result of Israel’s sin against Him.
Elijah was instructed to go to Sidon which was the homeland of Jezebel. Ahab and Jezebel had searched the entire region for Elijah but they never suspected that God would hide him in her own land. He was commanded to go to Zarephath which means refining. God had a further work to do in Elijah’s life before he was ready to confront the king. We are not told what the lesson was that Elijah was to learn but I am sure that the Lord was teaching him the truth of Habakkuk 2:4, “The righteous shall live by faith.”
Continued tomorrow LW
We are often impatient and wonder why God is not acting. Saul knew that he should wait but he grew impatient when Samuel did not come so he took matters into his own hands. I thought, 'Now the Philistines will come down against me at Gilgal, and I have not sought the LORD's favor.' So I felt compelled to offer the burnt offering." I Samuel 13:12. Because he decided not to wait for the Lord’s direction he suffered severe consequences. Samuel’s words were like a dagger in his heart. "You acted foolishly," Samuel said. "You have not kept the command the LORD your God gave you; if you had, he would have established your kingdom over Israel for all time. 1 Samuel 13:13
Many of God’s servants have learned the lesson that Elijah had to learn at Kerith and at Zarephath. Joseph was left in an Egyptian prison; Daniel spent the night in a lions’ den; Paul spent time in Arabia. These men learned the lesson and passed the test but Saul failed the test when he took matters into his own hands.
Elijah was instructed by the Lord to go to Zarephath of Sidon and it was there that the Lord had commanded a widow to feed him. How the Lord commanded the widow we do not know but I am sure that as the famine that was affecting the region had affected her country as well that she had cried out to God for mercy upon her and her son. Was she a believer? The evidence from the text seems to tell us that she knew of the God of Israel and she knew that the famine was the result of Israel’s sin against Him.
Elijah was instructed to go to Sidon which was the homeland of Jezebel. Ahab and Jezebel had searched the entire region for Elijah but they never suspected that God would hide him in her own land. He was commanded to go to Zarephath which means refining. God had a further work to do in Elijah’s life before he was ready to confront the king. We are not told what the lesson was that Elijah was to learn but I am sure that the Lord was teaching him the truth of Habakkuk 2:4, “The righteous shall live by faith.”
Continued tomorrow LW
Monday, July 6, 2009
No One Knows the Trouble You’ve Brought Part 1
Some time later the son of the woman who owned the house became ill. He grew worse and worse, and finally stopped breathing. She said to Elijah, "What do you have against me, man of God? Did you come to remind me of my sin and kill my son?" 1 Kings 17:17 – 18
It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees. Psalm 119:71
Elijah had watched the stream dry up and it wasn’t until there was no more water that the Lord gave him instruction. I am sure that most of us would have been busy making plans for our survival once the brook had dried up but we are not told anything about what Elijah was thinking. We are only told that once the brook was dry then the word of the Lord came to him. When all hope of surviving in his own strength was gone then the Lord gave him further instruction. We are not told how the Lord spoke to him but only that once the brook had dried up then the Word of the Lord came to him.
We have heard many times that we are to seek God’s call upon our lives. Though this may be true it is interesting to notice that more often the Scriptures tell us that the Word of the Lord came to different individuals. The Word of the Lord came to Nathan when David was preparing to build a temple to the Lord. The Word of the Lord came to the prophets such as Zechariah and gave them the message they were to preach. The Word of the Lord came to Paul when he was planning to go to Bithynia. As these were seeking to know what God desired them to do the Word of the Lord came to them.
Continued tomorrow LW
It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees. Psalm 119:71
Elijah had watched the stream dry up and it wasn’t until there was no more water that the Lord gave him instruction. I am sure that most of us would have been busy making plans for our survival once the brook had dried up but we are not told anything about what Elijah was thinking. We are only told that once the brook was dry then the word of the Lord came to him. When all hope of surviving in his own strength was gone then the Lord gave him further instruction. We are not told how the Lord spoke to him but only that once the brook had dried up then the Word of the Lord came to him.
We have heard many times that we are to seek God’s call upon our lives. Though this may be true it is interesting to notice that more often the Scriptures tell us that the Word of the Lord came to different individuals. The Word of the Lord came to Nathan when David was preparing to build a temple to the Lord. The Word of the Lord came to the prophets such as Zechariah and gave them the message they were to preach. The Word of the Lord came to Paul when he was planning to go to Bithynia. As these were seeking to know what God desired them to do the Word of the Lord came to them.
Continued tomorrow LW
Sunday, July 5, 2009
DIY Religion
This morning Pastor Gord preached on Judges 17 and 18. At the end of his sermon he showed a clip from Paris Reidhead's sermon called Ten Shekels and a Shirt. It is a great sermon but it is extremely convicting. Why do we serve God? Is it for something that we would get out of it or is it for the glory of God?
When we pray for people, whether for healing, family situations, safety, financial, or whatever are we concerned with man's (or woman's) happiness or with God's glory? I think too often our prayers are much like serving God for ten shekels and a shirt.
One weakness of our worship this morning was the singing of the song Above All. I love most of the song but it falls apart in the chorus. I am sure He didn't think of me above all when He was on the cross. I know that there are some churches that will not use th at song because of the chorus.
When we pray for people, whether for healing, family situations, safety, financial, or whatever are we concerned with man's (or woman's) happiness or with God's glory? I think too often our prayers are much like serving God for ten shekels and a shirt.
One weakness of our worship this morning was the singing of the song Above All. I love most of the song but it falls apart in the chorus. I am sure He didn't think of me above all when He was on the cross. I know that there are some churches that will not use th at song because of the chorus.
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Thanks but to whom?
Suppose you look at scenes like those above and feel an overwhelming sense of awe and wish to give thanks for the beauty around you but because you are an atheist you have no one to thank. You cannot thank chance because that sounds too much like thanking a creator. What does an atheist do?
Richard Dawkins has decided to have a summer camp for young atheists. I wonder what their camp songs will sound like? Kids naturally want to believe in God so Dawkins thinks he has to "program" them differently. Albert Mohler says that he has "jumped the shark" on this one.
Doesn't it seem strange that to be an atheist you have to refer to what you don't believe in rather than what you do believe in? Even the flat earth people have it better than that.
Just thinking and I am thankful to my Creator.
By the way, I took those pictures in 1972 when my wife and I honeymooned in BC.
Friday, July 3, 2009
I Am Only Answering Your Prayer Conclusion
3. The answer to our prayer may bring hardship upon us.
However, I am sure that he had doubts about his own future. What was he going to do when there was no more water? How could he exist without the stream? He knew that God had directed the ravens to bring him food but how could the ravens bring him water to drink? I am sure he asked the Lord what was going on. Had the Lord abandoned him and left him to die? It was then that the Lord reminded him, “I am only answering your prayer. You prayed that it would not rain and it hasn’t rained. That is why the brook is drying up.” Elijah was reminded that praying can be dangerous. When God answers our prayers it does not necessarily mean comfort and ease for us but rather it often means hardship and difficulty. God is not interested in our comfort as much as our holiness. Before Elijah prayed that it would not rain the people had been living in comfort but they had drifted far away from their God. If God had been interested in their comfort he would have left them in the state that they were in rather than shut up the heavens.
Elijah needed to be reminded why he had been sent to Kerith. It was not for his own protection that he was removed from the mainstream of life but as a judgment upon the nation of Israel. God withdrew his servants which was a greater judgment than the withholding of rain. Without His servants there would come a greater famine than the lack of food. Amos tells us, "The days are coming," declares the Sovereign LORD , "when I will send a famine through the land-not a famine of food or a thirst for water, but a famine of hearing the words of the LORD. Men will stagger from sea to sea and wander from north to east, searching for the word of the LORD, but they will not find it. Amos 8:11 – 12 (NIV).
How often that happens to us? We pray for healing and we become more ill. Is God playing a sick joke on us? It is then that God reminds us that before physical healing there should be spiritual healing. He may have allowed the illness into our lives to get our attention. James tells us, “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.” James 5:16 (NIV)
Finally the day came when he walked down to the steam and there was no more water. It was then that the word of the Lord came to him. Notice that the Word of the Lord came to him. Often we try to discover the will of God for our lives. We need to know that while we are in the Word, fasting and praying that the Word of the Lord will come to us. God leads us step by step. We have to be obedient to the revelation He has given us before He will give us a new revelation. Now it was time for Elijah to move on. How the Word of the Lord came to him we do not know but however it was Elijah knew that it was the Word of the Lord. Maybe the Lord spoke to him in a dream or a vision or maybe it was just the still small voice of the Spirit speaking to his spirit. However it was, Elijah knew that God had directed him.
How often we are interested in our comfort while God is interested in our holiness. The Lord allows hardships and difficulties into our lives so we can become holy. We often pray for comfort and He desires to make us holy. Often in our prayers we give lip service to holiness only to find that God answers that prayer by making us uncomfortable.
Many people have testified to their spiritual growth in terms such as these: It was the year that I was diagnosed with cancer that God became real in my life. Some one else may say, it was the time when my father passed away that I began to seek God. Another person may add, it was the year that my business failed that I learned to walk by faith. In each of these cases the person may add something like this: “It was not my desire to get cancer or that anyone would suffer as I suffered but I thank God for that suffering because then God became real to me.” We need to remember that God is more interested in our holiness than in our comfort and if we are serious about being holy then we may see God working in ways that we would never expect. Remember the words of the Lord to Habakkuk, “For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told.” Habakkuk 1:5 (NIV).
However, I am sure that he had doubts about his own future. What was he going to do when there was no more water? How could he exist without the stream? He knew that God had directed the ravens to bring him food but how could the ravens bring him water to drink? I am sure he asked the Lord what was going on. Had the Lord abandoned him and left him to die? It was then that the Lord reminded him, “I am only answering your prayer. You prayed that it would not rain and it hasn’t rained. That is why the brook is drying up.” Elijah was reminded that praying can be dangerous. When God answers our prayers it does not necessarily mean comfort and ease for us but rather it often means hardship and difficulty. God is not interested in our comfort as much as our holiness. Before Elijah prayed that it would not rain the people had been living in comfort but they had drifted far away from their God. If God had been interested in their comfort he would have left them in the state that they were in rather than shut up the heavens.
Elijah needed to be reminded why he had been sent to Kerith. It was not for his own protection that he was removed from the mainstream of life but as a judgment upon the nation of Israel. God withdrew his servants which was a greater judgment than the withholding of rain. Without His servants there would come a greater famine than the lack of food. Amos tells us, "The days are coming," declares the Sovereign LORD , "when I will send a famine through the land-not a famine of food or a thirst for water, but a famine of hearing the words of the LORD. Men will stagger from sea to sea and wander from north to east, searching for the word of the LORD, but they will not find it. Amos 8:11 – 12 (NIV).
How often that happens to us? We pray for healing and we become more ill. Is God playing a sick joke on us? It is then that God reminds us that before physical healing there should be spiritual healing. He may have allowed the illness into our lives to get our attention. James tells us, “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.” James 5:16 (NIV)
Finally the day came when he walked down to the steam and there was no more water. It was then that the word of the Lord came to him. Notice that the Word of the Lord came to him. Often we try to discover the will of God for our lives. We need to know that while we are in the Word, fasting and praying that the Word of the Lord will come to us. God leads us step by step. We have to be obedient to the revelation He has given us before He will give us a new revelation. Now it was time for Elijah to move on. How the Word of the Lord came to him we do not know but however it was Elijah knew that it was the Word of the Lord. Maybe the Lord spoke to him in a dream or a vision or maybe it was just the still small voice of the Spirit speaking to his spirit. However it was, Elijah knew that God had directed him.
How often we are interested in our comfort while God is interested in our holiness. The Lord allows hardships and difficulties into our lives so we can become holy. We often pray for comfort and He desires to make us holy. Often in our prayers we give lip service to holiness only to find that God answers that prayer by making us uncomfortable.
Many people have testified to their spiritual growth in terms such as these: It was the year that I was diagnosed with cancer that God became real in my life. Some one else may say, it was the time when my father passed away that I began to seek God. Another person may add, it was the year that my business failed that I learned to walk by faith. In each of these cases the person may add something like this: “It was not my desire to get cancer or that anyone would suffer as I suffered but I thank God for that suffering because then God became real to me.” We need to remember that God is more interested in our holiness than in our comfort and if we are serious about being holy then we may see God working in ways that we would never expect. Remember the words of the Lord to Habakkuk, “For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told.” Habakkuk 1:5 (NIV).
Thursday, July 2, 2009
I Am Only Answering Your Prayer Part 3
2. Prayer is for God’s glory and not our comfort.
As Elijah was hiding by the stream he spent a great deal of time in prayer for his nation. He did not pray that the drought would end but rather he prayed that the drought would turn the hearts of the King and the leaders back to the Word of God and repent. He knew that if the leaders and the people would repent then the drought would end. He was reminded of the words of the Lord to King Solomon at the dedication of the temple, “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 will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14 (NIV).
Each day he probably wondered if this was the day that King Ahab had repented. Would this be the day that God would bring healing to the land? He knew that before the rains would come to heal the land the people had to turn their hearts back to God. Elijah knew that the idolatry in the hearts of the people was much more serious than the drought. How many people have said, “If God really was a God of love then wouldn’t He remove this trial or sickness?” or “Wouldn’t He have prevented my loved one from being hurt in that accident?” Maybe it is because God is a God of love that he doesn’t remove the thorn in our flesh. God desires us to have a relationship with Him more than He desires our comfort.
Concluded tomorrow LW
As Elijah was hiding by the stream he spent a great deal of time in prayer for his nation. He did not pray that the drought would end but rather he prayed that the drought would turn the hearts of the King and the leaders back to the Word of God and repent. He knew that if the leaders and the people would repent then the drought would end. He was reminded of the words of the Lord to King Solomon at the dedication of the temple, “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 will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14 (NIV).
Each day he probably wondered if this was the day that King Ahab had repented. Would this be the day that God would bring healing to the land? He knew that before the rains would come to heal the land the people had to turn their hearts back to God. Elijah knew that the idolatry in the hearts of the people was much more serious than the drought. How many people have said, “If God really was a God of love then wouldn’t He remove this trial or sickness?” or “Wouldn’t He have prevented my loved one from being hurt in that accident?” Maybe it is because God is a God of love that he doesn’t remove the thorn in our flesh. God desires us to have a relationship with Him more than He desires our comfort.
Concluded tomorrow LW
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
I am only answering your prayer Part 2
This is a continuation of yesterday's post.
1. God’s ways are not our ways.
How many of God’s active servants have been laid aside by illness or other problems and they have questioned the wisdom of God. They have felt that God made a mistake by stopping a successful public ministry and left them on a bed of illness. One well known speaker and writer from a few years ago was laid aside with a heart attack. He started to complain to God saying that God had made a mistake. After all he was busy for the Lord writing and speaking. The Lord then spoke to him and reminded him that he was so busy in his work that he had neglected his time with the Lord. The Lord loved him more than his work and wanted him to spend time with the Lord. In order to do that the Lord had to stop him and lay him aside for a time. Elijah needed to spend time with his God.
But God’s wisdom is not man’s wisdom. God has often laid aside His servants so that they can spend time with Him. There is often a greater ministry than they have been doing and that is the ministry of prayer. One of the sins of a successful ministry that God’s servants must guard against is the sin of prayerlessness
Continued tomorrow LW.
1. God’s ways are not our ways.
How many of God’s active servants have been laid aside by illness or other problems and they have questioned the wisdom of God. They have felt that God made a mistake by stopping a successful public ministry and left them on a bed of illness. One well known speaker and writer from a few years ago was laid aside with a heart attack. He started to complain to God saying that God had made a mistake. After all he was busy for the Lord writing and speaking. The Lord then spoke to him and reminded him that he was so busy in his work that he had neglected his time with the Lord. The Lord loved him more than his work and wanted him to spend time with the Lord. In order to do that the Lord had to stop him and lay him aside for a time. Elijah needed to spend time with his God.
But God’s wisdom is not man’s wisdom. God has often laid aside His servants so that they can spend time with Him. There is often a greater ministry than they have been doing and that is the ministry of prayer. One of the sins of a successful ministry that God’s servants must guard against is the sin of prayerlessness
Continued tomorrow LW.
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