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Elijah

1) Message 06 12 12

 

And the Lord heard the voice of Elijah; and the soul of the child came into him again, and he revived.


1 Kings chapter 17 verse 22

How important it is to have the assurance that God hears the voice of His people. Elijah was a prophet who had a very close walk with God and had the confidence that God heard and answered his prayers. During his life Elijah had learned many deep and precious lessons through the experiences he had gone through. It is no different in our own day for our prayer life deepens through the experiences God takes us through. 

Elijah had fled to the wilderness after his first confrontation with King Ahab. Israel and King Ahab had forsaken their God. Elijah pronounced the judgement of God in that there was to be no rain or dew for a long period of time. This showed Elijah’s standing before God to have the authority to make such an pronouncement. Elijah, though, was to be taken from public view whilst the drought took place. Firstly he was to go to the brook Cherith and ravens would feed him each day. These were scavenger birds. What a humiliation for Elijah as all his life he had been self sufficient. Now he had to wait for these scavenger birds to deliver him his daily bread. In all of his experiences Elijah was learning the deep things of God. It is the same in the Christian life as we only learn the deep things of God through deep, painful experiences. We should not feel sorry for ourselves when God sends suffering, sorrow, rejection or persecution our way. We would never grow to become more like Jesus unless we are identified with His sufferings. If Jesus Himself learned obedience by the things which He suffered why would God make the Christian life a soft comfortable life.

Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered.


Hebrews chapter 5 verse 8

Elijah’s prophecy was seen to be true in that the brook dried up. This brought the opportunity for further lessons through further humiliation. This was in the form of being sent to a widow woman for help. Of all the many people there must have been who could have provided for Elijah’s need during the period of drought Elijah was not directed to those who of their own sufficiency could easily have helped him. No God had a greater purpose not a comfort zone. God took Elijah to a widow woman who could not support herself and her son. O God’s thoughts and ways are so different to ours. No one but God could have come up with this solution to Elijah’s need.

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, Neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are my ways higher than your ways.


Isaiah chapter 55 verse 8

God knew all about this dear widow and her son who had reached the end of human supply. Yet is this not the same in the Christian life when we reach the point of where we feel we cannot go on. God brings us to the end of ourselves in order that we can receive all that He wants to give us. Why can I say this. It is because I daily go on with God through pain and suffering when I do not want to go on. What sustains me is His word together with the knowledge that my body has become the property of the Holy Spirit. The promises are as true as from the day they were written.

But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.


Philippians chapter 4 verse 19

Not only meeting our needs but what a wonderful promise is brought to us in Ephesians. I do trust that you use the King James Authorised Version for it is in this version that is found both authority and power.

Now unto him that is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.


Ephesians chapter 3 verse 20

Can you grasp hold of what God offers us. Not just sufficiency but an exceeding abundance. This can be seen with Elijah and the widow. The widow obeyed Elijah and fed him first. Afterwards there was food for both her and her son for as long as the period of the shortage of food lasted. All appeared to be going well until the widow’s son fell sick and died. Elijah, though, was able to fully trust God in this and cried unto the Lord. His cry was heard and the widow’s son was restored to life.

What lessons are to be gleaned here? Above everything else we are to respect God as God. He is the Almighty. He as the creator God is above everything else. In Jesus Christ we are shown what God is like. He is a God of mercy but also a God of judgement. We cannot come to God on our own terms. No God as seen in Jesus Christ must be given His rightful place. The King James Authorised Version of the Bible gives Jesus Christ His rightful place. Jesus is to have the pre eminence in all things. He alone is co equal with God as He is God in His own right. He is not a son of the gods as other versions state. If you have a version which does not give Jesus His rightful place as the only begotten Son of God then throw them away for they belong to the devil and are not from God.

When we give Jesus Christ His rightful place in our lives and He and not ourselves is on the throne we will grow in the knowledge and love of God. Today there is often no concept of who God is and prayer is self centred instead of God being at its centre. When we have had an experience similar to that of Isaiah then there is no familiarity with God in seeking to bring God down to our level. No we see ourselves as sinners saved by grace because He is holy and it is only that we are in Christ that we can approach our creator.

Then said I, Woe is me! For I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips.

 

Isaiah chapter 6 verse 5

We will get nothing from God through being familiar with Him and simply asking for all that we want. That is not the way of prayer. God looks for us to respect Him for who He is and worship Him in spirit and truth. As we learn the ways of God through the deep experiences He will send our way when we have said not my way but yours through being prepared to go the way of thee cross then we start to enter into the deep things of God.  All the pain and suffering, all the rejection and persecution are part of the way of the cross. The way of the cross leads to resurrection. Can we say that we know that there is power in the risen Christ which is working in and through us. Death works in us so that the life of Christ can be released through us by the Holy Spirit. Then we shall know if we go on to know the Lord what God can do through a life which is fully yielded to Himself.  Prayer becomes a breathe, a sigh, a glance but also has the authority and power to destroy the strongholds of Satan wherever they seek to prevent the Gospel of our glorious Saviour and Lord reaching every last person still needing to be reached. May God drive out the god of this world from the Church and do a deep work of cleansing so that your people will give you your rightful place in their lives and be willing to enter the deep things of God. 

Lord Jesus Christ you are always to be given the place of pre eminence. You alone need to reign in the lives of those who call themselves Christian. There can be no cross currents as self cannot glory in your presence. May the Church be those of the living stones which give you your rightful place in their lives. Let your Church, Lord, have a new vision of who you are and what you have done. How can we be familiar and treat you as an equal with other gods when you alone shed your blood for our sins.  Lord may we day by day go the way of the cross where self interests no longer exist. Instead may the love of our hearts be centred on you and our lives poured out as a living sacrifice in the service of yourself and others. Lord raise up a people who know what intercessory prayer means and be prepared to let the Holy Spirit do all He needs to do in and through them.  Lord without your army of prayer intercessors your honour is at stake because the god of this world is seeking to prevent the Gospel reaching every creature and your return as the Messiah of the Jews. This prayer seeks only to bring honour and glory to the name of our God. Amen. 

2) And the Lord heard the voice of Elijah; and the soul of the child came into him again, and he revived.

 

1 Kings chapter 17 verse 22

How important it is to have the assurance that God hears the voice of His people. Elijah was a prophet who had a very close walk with God and had the confidence that God heard and answered his prayers. During his life Elijah had learned many deep and precious lessons through the experiences he had gone through. It is no different in our own day for our prayer life deepens through the experiences God takes us through. 

Elijah had fled to the wilderness after his first confrontation with King Ahab. Israel and King Ahab had forsaken their God. Elijah pronounced the judgement of God in that there was to be no rain or dew for a long period of time. This showed Elijah’s standing before God to have the authority to make such an pronouncement. Elijah, though, was to be taken from public view whilst the drought took place. Firstly he was to go to the brook Cherith and ravens would feed him each day. These were scavenger birds.

 

What a humiliation for Elijah as all his life he had been self sufficient. Now he had to wait for these scavenger birds to deliver him his daily bread. In all of his experiences Elijah was learning the deep things of God. It is the same in the Christian life as we only learn the deep things of God through deep, painful experiences. We should not feel sorry for ourselves when God sends suffering, sorrow, rejection or persecution our way. We would never grow to become more like Jesus unless we are identified with His sufferings. If Jesus Himself learned obedience by the things which He suffered why would God make the Christian life a soft comfortable life.

Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered.

 

Hebrews chapter 5 verse 8

Elijah’s prophecy was seen to be true in that the brook dried up. This brought the opportunity for further lessons through further humiliation. This was in the form of being sent to a widow woman for help. Of all the many people there must have been who could have provided for Elijah’s need during the period of drought Elijah was not directed to those who of their own sufficiency could easily have helped him. No God had a greater purpose not a comfort zone. God took Elijah to a widow woman who could not support herself and her son. O God’s thoughts and ways are so different to ours. No one but God could have come up with this solution to Elijah’s need.

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, Neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are my ways higher than your ways.

 

Isaiah chapter 55 verse 8

God knew all about this dear widow and her son who had reached the end of human supply. Yet is this not the same in the Christian life when we reach the point of where we feel we cannot go on. God brings us to the end of ourselves in order that we can receive all that He wants to give us. Why can I say this. It is because I daily go on with God through pain and suffering when I do not want to go on. What sustains me is His word together with the knowledge that my body has become the property of the Holy Spirit. The promises are as true as from the day they were written.

But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

 

Philippians chapter 4 verse 19

Not only meeting our needs but what a wonderful promise is brought to us in Ephesians. I do trust that you use the King James Authorised Version for it is in this version that is found both authority and power.

Now unto him that is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us.

 

Ephesians chapter 3 verse 20

Can you grasp hold of what God offers us. Not just sufficiency but an exceeding abundance. This can be seen with Elijah and the widow. The widow obeyed Elijah and fed him first. Afterwards there was food for both her and her son for as long as the period of the shortage of food lasted. All appeared to be going well until the widow’s son fell sick and died. Elijah, though, was able to fully trust God in this and cried unto the Lord. His cry was heard and the widow’s son was restored to life.

What lessons are to be gleaned here? Above everything else we are to respect God as God. He is the Almighty. He as the creator God is above everything else. In Jesus Christ we are shown what God is like. He is a God of mercy but also a God of judgement. We cannot come to God on our own terms. No God as seen in Jesus Christ must be given His rightful place. The King James Authorised Version of the Bible gives Jesus Christ His rightful place. Jesus is to have the pre eminence in all things. He alone is co equal with God as He is God in His own right. He is not a son of the gods as other versions state. If you have a version which does not give Jesus His rightful place as the only begotten Son of God then throw them away for they belong to the devil and are not from God.

When we give Jesus Christ His rightful place in our lives and He and not ourselves is on the throne we will grow in the knowledge and love of God. Today there is often no concept of who God is and prayer is self centred instead of God being at its centre. When we have had an experience similar to that of Isaiah then there is no familiarity with God in seeking to bring God down to our level. No we see ourselves as sinners saved by grace because He is holy and it is only that we are in Christ that we can approach our creator.

Then said I, Woe is me! For I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips.

 

Isaiah chapter 6 verse 5

We will get nothing from God through being familiar with Him and simply asking for all that we want. That is not the way of prayer. God looks for us to respect Him for who He is and worship Him in spirit and truth. As we learn the ways of God through the deep experiences He will send our way when we have said not my way but yours through being prepared to go the way of thee cross then we start to enter into the deep things of God. All the pain and suffering, all the rejection and persecution are part of the way of the cross.

 

The way of the cross leads to resurrection. Can we say that we know that there is power in the risen Christ which is working in and through us. Death works in us so that the life of Christ can be released through us by the Holy Spirit. Then we shall know if we go on to know the Lord what God can do through a life which is fully yielded to Himself.

 

Prayer becomes a breathe, a sigh, a glance but also has the authority and power to destroy the strongholds of Satan wherever they seek to prevent the Gospel of our glorious Saviour and Lord reaching every last person still needing to be reached. May God drive out the god of this world from the Church and do a deep work of cleansing so that your people will give you your rightful place in their lives and be willing to enter the deep things of God. 

Lord Jesus Christ you are always to be given the place of pre eminence. You alone need to reign in the lives of those who call themselves Christian. There can be no cross currents as self cannot glory in your presence. May the Church be those of the living stones which give you your rightful place in their lives. Let your Church, Lord, have a new vision of who you are and what you have done.

 

How can we be familiar and treat you as an equal with other gods when you alone shed your blood for our sins. Lord may we day by day go the way of the cross where self interests no longer exist. Instead may the love of our hearts be centred on you and our lives poured out as a living sacrifice in the service of yourself and others. Lord raise up a people who know what intercessory prayer means and be prepared to let the Holy Spirit do all He needs to do in and through them.

 

Lord without your army of prayer intercessors your honour is at stake because the god of this world is seeking to prevent the Gospel reaching every creature and your return as the Messiah of the Jews. This prayer seeks only to bring honour and glory to the name of our God. Amen.

3)

 

And he repaired the altar of the LORD that was broken down

 

1 Kings chapter 18 verse 30

 

The action of Elijah in repairing the altar of the Lord which was broken down can be seen as one of the great acts of faith in scripture.  Here was one man standing up for God in the midst of great apostasy.  Three years earlier Elijah had brought judgement upon Israel when he had told king Ahab that there would be a drought for three years.  This drought was because the king under the influence of  queen Jezebel, his wife, had caused the nation of Israel to have sinned against their God.  Elijah claimed to be the only prophet of God left as the others who claimed to be prophets were serving other gods and in particular Baal.  What a desperate position Elijah found himself to be in believing that he alone was following God.  Elijah was not deterred.  He had heard God’s voice calling him into action.  The time had come to take the battle to the enemy which in this case was the enemy within rather than outside the nation.  Israel had been used to enemies coming to attack them from other nations.  This time it was a rebellion against their God by most of the nation.

 

What a dreadful picture has been painted before us as we read the account of the acts of Ahab and Jezebel.  There could not have been a greater turning away from God.   Yet God in His mercy had His man in Elijah who was more than equal to the task of bringing back God’s people to Himself.  Elijah had been prepared by God for the moment he heard the word of the Lord saying:

 

Go, shew thyself unto Ahab.

 

1 Kings chapter 18 verse 1

 

The years had now passed since Elijah had spoken to Ahab in judgement when he said:

 

As the Lord God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word.

 

1 Kings chapter 17 verse 1

 

What authority is found here in these words of Elijah.  He stood up to the most powerful man in society and what he said to Ahab came to pass and Ahab was powerless to do anything to change the situation.  During the ensuing years Elijah was protected by and provided for by the God whom he served.  First this was the ravens, then the widow of Zarephath.  God was faithful to His prophet.  He taught Elijah that when it is He Himself who calls someone to serve Him then God will be responsible for meeting the needs of His servant and preparing His servant for the task to which he has been called.  Elijah like all other outstanding men and women both before and after him soon realized that what he had been called to do was beyond himself.  It is when we realizes that we are nobody and of ourselves can do nothing for God  as it has to be God who does whatever has to be done through us.  From that moment God can use us.  Until that point we would have been drawing attention to ourselves and with this taking the glory which is due to God alone.  This contrasts greatly from much of present day ministry.  Instead of total surrender to God the Holy Spirit for Him to live through God’s servants what is seen today is self- seekers who may be polished yet lack the power of the Holy Spirit.  Not only lacking in power but lacking in content as like the false prophets of Elijah’s day it is a message of another Jesus and another Holy Spirit for the content of their message would not be recognized by Peter and Paul or even Jesus Himself.  The message of the other gospel today draws attention to the presenter rather Jesus as there is no humility.  The Christian is to be exactly as Jesus was so like Jesus during his earthly ministry should be in total dependence upon the Holy Spirit for authority and anointing in order that glory is brought to the Father alone.

 

There is a similarity here between the situation which confronted Elijah and that which manifests itself under the name of Christianity today.  Elijah without any doubt was in the minority.  Today God still has a small minority throughout the world who have not gone after Baal.  This minority keep faithful to the versions of the Bible which have not been devalued by amending or removing the gospel message which alone can bring souls to conviction of sin and repentance by finding in Jesus the only advocate and mediator between God and man.  Jesus as God’s only begotten Son by His cross and precious blood and glorious resurrection and ascension is the only One who can redeem and reconcile sinners with a holy and righteous God.  Nothing of the compromise of the majority of Christianity here.  No God’s remnant Church today like Elijah of old is standing true and faithful to God.  Like Elijah the remnant Church will be used to repair the altar of the Lord which is broken down throughout the world. 

 

When Elijah obeyed God and stepped out in faith to rebuild the broken altar after it had first been seen by the people that the prophets of Baal were false prophets then God could  be restored as the God of Israel.  Elijah restored the old ways of sacrifice and the fire of the Lord fell.  This was not false fire as is often seen today and made out to be of God.  No this was the fire which consumed the sacrifice.  The sacrifice today is not burning bulls or sheep but the sacrifice of lives lived in a right relationship with God.  Lives which are holy for they are set apart for God.  Lives which have said I want nothing to do with the world or that which goes under the name of  the Christianity which in effect compromises with the world.  Not even that which although it might draw numbers on television or to churches or evangelistic campaigns is in effect drawing attention to anything but the God who in Jesus Christ had given the only acceptable sacrifice for sin.

 

O God in these days of apostasy which are so like the days of your servant Elijah bring together your remnant Church throughout the world: a Church of the individual members of the body of your Son Jesus.  Through this body of those who want nothing for themselves as they know what it is to have presented their bodies as a living sacrifice to you bring to pass all that still needs to be brought to pass for the gospel to reach every creature and for the return of the Messiah.  Lord your Word speaks of Jew and Gentile being one  in Christ, use your remnant to bring this about so that you receive all the glory which is yours by right. Lord set apart a people in a right relationship with yourself whose lives are holy, righteous and pure; lives exactly like Jesus was whilst on earth.

 

And that He might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby.

 

Ephesians chapter 2 verse 16

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