“Hear me, O Lord, hear me, that this people may know that Thou art the Lord God, and that Thou hast turned their heart back again.” 1 Kings 18:37
It was perhaps one of the greatest days in the life of the prophet Elijah’s life when defying the godless rulers of his time, Ahab and Jezebel, he would take his stand against the prophets of Baal and the prophets of the groves, or idols, and this at Mount Carmel. That day Elijah confronted eight hundred and fifty prophets, defying their godless profession and practices, in order to turn the attention of the people of Israel back to God, for their restoration and salvation. He makes clear to the people in one of his prayers that all that he was doing, and had done, was because God had instructed him to do so. (v.36) In response to Elijah’s obedience, boldness and courage, standing alone against so many, “…the fire of the Lord fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench.” (v. 38) Why such a demonstration of power by the Lord, one so unique in its manifestation, and far reaching in its effects? It was because in the wisdom of God, the time had come in the context of terrible spiritual decline, in great part by the persecution of the prophets of the Lord, a good number being put to death by Jezebel, that there was the need for a grand display of God’s power to convince the people that He was indeed, “…the God of Israel.” The people were beforehand hesitating between believing in God and believing in idols and false gods. God would at this moment reveal to them without question that He was God, and He alone was to be worshiped. Where did Elijah receive such strength to take his solitary stand against all opposition, even at the possible cost of his life? Elijah lived as a worshiper of God in Spirit and truth. He learned to live by the power of the Spirit. That ability to trust the Spirit of power came when the vision of God in His power was revealed to him. God gave him a perception of this power, and the occasion in His will, to practice it.
The Apostle Paul wrote to the believers in Ephesus, knowing that they had been greatly blessed with the great truths of the Scriptures and were sound in doctrine and the teachings of Christ. However, even for them, there was a real need to pray specifically for a clear perception of the truth concerning the power of God. Paul in his first prayer prayed that God the Father of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, would give them enlightened eyes to see, and know, “…what is the exceeding greatness of His POWER to us-ward who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead.” (1:19,20) Paul’s prayer was for God to give them a “vision,” or perception, of the truth as it is in Christ, that the same power that raised Christ from the dead was available to them on a daily basis, and this, because of their union with Christ. The perception, or vision, was essential for faith to receive it.
There has only been one Elijah the prophet, and one Apostle Paul. However, to be IN Christ, in union with Christ, puts every believer in contact with the Son of God by the Spirit, there to live, to receive, to know Christ’s power for needs great and small. Charles Wesley knew the reality of this when he wrote: “All things are possible to God; To Christ, the power of God in me; Now shed Thy mighty Self abroad, Let me no longer live but Thee. Give me in this hour to prove the sweet omnipotence of love.” God gives a vision of His power in answer to prayer, so that every believer can trust Him in every circumstance.
Dear Father, Show us thy power. In Jesus’ name, Amen.