Life Capsule for Today 13th September,2023
Theme: The Prayer Life of Elijah (4)
Memory Verse: 1 Thess 5:17
17 pray without ceasing, NKJV
Topic: Elijah prayed God centered prayers
Today’s Reading: 1 Kings 18:36-39
36 And it came to pass, at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near and said, “Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known this day that You are God in Israel and I am Your servant, and that I have done all these things at Your word. 37 Hear me, O Lord, hear me, that this people may know that You are the Lord God, and that You have turned their hearts back to You again. 38 Then the fire of the Lord fell and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood and the stones and the dust, and it licked up the water that was in the trench. 39 Now when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces; and they said, “The Lord, He is God! The Lord, He is God!” NKJV
Words of the Ministry:
The account of Elijah calling fire down from heaven may as well be the most prominent of his stories. The account said he put a challenge forward to know the true God between Jehovah and Baal. The 400 prophets of Baal called on their god from morning till evening, but they got no response. Immediately Elijah called on the true God Jehovah, fire came down from Heaven and consumed the sacrifice. I would like us to look closely at the prayer of Elijah to consider some of the lessons it affords.
Elijah started by drawing the attention of the people to the fact that God Jehovah is the God of their fathers Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. He did this to bring their hearts back to the only true God. He then further said the same God is the God of Israel and that he was his servant. We see Elijah pointing men not to himself but to the God of Israel, he didn’t want to appear powerful by himself but took the position of a servant in humility and God exalted him before men. He wasn’t chanting if I be a man of God as many would say today to confirm they are genuine or to conceal their pride. Elijah was satisfied being a servant to the God of Israel.
Again we see Elijah in verse 36C stating that this wonder that is to be seen is not borne out of flesh or mere zeal without knowledge rather you God commanded it. Despite the Lord commanding him to do this, Elijah still prayed that God should hear him so that the people’s heart would be turned back to the true God. We see a prophet bothered about the reign of God in the midst of the people, that is what it means to seek the kingdom of God and its righteousness. While many emphasize on the glory of Elijah’s fire from heaven, they forget that the agenda is kingdom advancement.
God answered Elijah just as he would always answer a kingdom related prayer, fire fell from heaven, Elijah did what no man ever did, that was a greater work compared to the miracles of Moses. This Elijah did because he was in tune with God, knowing God’s will and seeking the kingdom expansion. In verse 39, Elijah got the result, the people fell on their faces and their hearts were turned to the true God. Saints, why do you seek greater works? Are you trying to confirm your apostleship, make more money, become more famous, grow your membership strength, prove you have spiritual power or to extend the kingdom? The reason behind your prayers can be easily assessed by the result that it brings. Does it bring more money, more fame, more attendees, social media follower or righteousness? May the Lord grant us light.
Bible in One Year: Ezekiel 43-45
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