“Ask ye of the Lord rain in the time of the latter rain; so the Lord shall make bright clouds, and give them showers of rain, to every one grass in the field.” Zechariah 10:1
Dear Ones:
In the book of James, we read a brief summation of Elijah’s dealing with a three and a half year drought in the land of Israel, and the prayer that changed everything. That which we do not read here is the answer to the question, “Why?” If we should go back in the Old Testament to the book of 1st Kings, we find where Elijah is confronting the wicked king Ahab, and saying to him: “…there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word.” (17:1) Now, we must understand that these words to Ahab were not those which had their origin in Elijah. Elijah was a prophet of God, a servant of God, who communicated the word of God to Israel. Elijah will declare this in a prayer to God: “…let it be known this day that Thou art God in Israel, and that I am thy servant, and that I have done all these things at Thy word.” (18:36) Elijah was the mouthpiece of God, communicating the will and purpose of God to Ahab, and to Israel, basically for one purpose, that they all will know that the Lord is the true God, and there is no other. So, why then does the Lord order Elijah to declare that a drought is coming, one that will engulf the whole of the nation for a period of time which will put even their survival in jeopardy? First of all, it will be to show Israel and its rulers that they are nothing in the face of the drought and famine. Secondly, it is to reveal that their god, Baal, cannot save them. And lastly, that there is a God in heaven whose word is truth, who will fulfill that word in fullest measure, and who hears believing prayer based upon His word.
On the day when Elijah confronted the people of Israel with the choice of following God or Baal, there were four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal who stood opposing Elijah before the people. All that they did, or could imagine to do, to prove that Baal was God, failed. In contrast, It would be by a single man’s prayer, that of Elijah, that the fire of God out of heaven would fall, and consume the burnt sacrifice, before the eyes of all the people. Elijah’s prayer was very simple: “Hear me, O Lord, hear me, that this people may know that Thou art the Lord, and that Thou hast turned their heart back again.” (1 Kings 18:37) The answer to Elijah’s prayer resulted in the people falling on their faces, declaring that: “The Lord, He is the God; the Lord, He is the God.” (v.39) What then of the abundance of rain? Is it not to confirm the promise of His blessing?
In considering the matter of abundance of rain after the drought of three and a half years, we need to again reiterate that Elijah was only acting in accordance with the word and revealed will of God. God had instructed Elijah: “Go, shew thyself unto Ahab; and I will send rain upon the earth.” (18:1) Elijah then tells Ahab, “Get thee up, eat and drink, for there is a sound of abundance of rain.” (18:41) It is noteworthy that Elijah’s faith is ONLY in God, according to His word. After sending word to Ahab concerning the rain, Elijah climbs Mt. Carmel, falls upon his knees, there to pray for the fulfillment of the declared will of God, the coming of the rain…at a specific time, and in a specific place. Seven times he will pray, for this is God’s way, in His time, so that He will receive all the glory. It is then that Elijah’s servant declares to him: “Behold, there ariseth a little cloud out of the sea, like a man’s hand.” Elijah knew that the time had come for the abundance of rain.
Dear Father, Give us grace to know Thy will, praying until it comes. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad