GOD Almighty Gives Grace and Causes Elijah to Make Rain Fall From the Skies

 GOD Almighty Gives Grace and Causes Elijah to Make Rain Fall From the Skies

Positive Christianity Series Episode #159

"And Elijah said to Ahab, 'Go up, eat and drink, for there is a sound of the rushing of the rain.' So Ahab went up to eat and drink. And Elijah went up to the top of Mount Carmel. And he bowed himself down to the earth and put his face between his knees. And he said to his servant, 'Go up now, look towards the sea.' And he went up and looked and said, 'There is nothing.' And he said, 'Go again,' seven times. And at the seventh time he said, 'Behold, a little cloud like a man's hand is rising from the sea.' And he said, 'Go up, say to Ahab,' prepare your chariot and go down, lest the rain stop you.' And in a little while the Heavens grew black with clouds and winds, and there was a great rain. And Ahab rode and went to Jezreel. And the hand of the LORD was with Elijah, and he gathered up his garment and ran before Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel."- 1 Kings 18: 41-46

After Elijah had defeated and destroyed the false prophets of Ahab and Jezebel, we learn that GOD Almighty gives grace. We learn that Elijah is sent again to speak to Ahab and tell him that there would be rainfall in the land. This is important because there was drought in the land for 3.5 years because of Ahab and Jezebel instructing idol worship and persecuting righteous prophets. We learn from the writings of Moses that the practice of grave sin causes the land to not have rainfall, not produce, and have times of drought and may even cause deserts to be created. We learn that GOD Almighty demonstrates grace even in the Old Testament seen in the manner that while Ahab and Jezebel were wicked, Elijah was able to reprove Ahab telling him to repent of idol worship and sin. We learn that Elijah does not doubt GOD Almighty and talks to Ahab even when Ahab was persecuting the righteous prophets and Obadiah was guarding them. 

We learn that Elijah is able to help a widow during the 3.5 years of drought being able to prevent the flour and oil from running out in the widow's household during the times of drought because of grave sin. This is consistent with the writings of Moses that speak about GOD Almighty not forsaking the righteous to difficulties and destruction. We learn that the widow was righteous and was able to persevere in times of drought describing that GOD Almighty does not forsake righteous individuals. We learn that the drought in Samaria was severe and Ahab and Jezebel had not repented of their grave sin of idol worship. We learn that after GOD Almighty had judged the 950 false prophets by allowing Elijah to destroy the prophets, Elijah shows grace making rain fall from the skies.

"Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and how he had killed the prophets with the sword. Then Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, 'So may the gods do to me and more also, if I do not make your life as the life of one of them by this time tomorrow.' Then he was afraid, and he arose and ran for his life and came to Beersheba, which belongs to Judah, and left his servant there."- 1 Kings 19: 1-3 

We learn that Ahab seems to comprehend the importance of rain in the land, yet is guided by Jezebel who does not repent and instead is angered because the false prophets were destroyed. Ahab is led by Jezebel and does not repent of idol worship. Elijah is threatened by Jezebel for destroying the 950 false prophets and flees to the desert of Beersheba in the south. We learn that idol worship causes hostilities without reason. We learn that Elijah destroyed the 950 false prophets because GOD Almighty judged wickedness. We learn that this was not arbitrary. We learn that when GOD Almighty shows grace to Ahab and Jezebel, they choose to threaten the righteous prophet, Elijah, and GOD Almighty judges wickedness. We also learn that idol worship causes hostilities and foolishness in wicked individuals. For this reason, once we know individuals are unrepentant in their wickedness, we should be far apart from false apostles and false prophets who only want to cause conflict and strife. 

Elijah flees for safety and prays to GOD Almighty. We are able to learn from the story of Elijah that prayer is important in the life of a Christian. While GOD Almighty knew what Elijah was going through, GOD Almighty wants to know our point of view. Elijah prays to GOD Almighty acknowledging that he did not know how to persevere, yet GOD Almighty sees the fidelity of Elijah and does not forsake him to Jezebel's threats. We learn that sometimes there are difficulties where we question how are we able to persevere, yet if we go to prayer and keep obeying the commandments of Moses, GOD Almighty makes a path where there was no path similar to Moses and Israel when they were between Pharaoh and the Red Sea. This is similar to Lot who does not practice adultery and is saved from the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. Similar to David when he was being persecuted by Saul and was able to find refuge and serenity in Ziklag with the Philistines. Elijah does not forsake GOD Almighty, and GOD Almighty does not forsake Elijah. We learn that GOD Almighty listens to Elijah's prayer and chooses to judge Ahab and Jezebel by anointing Jehu, new king in Israel, anointing a new king of Syria, and anointing a new prophet in Elisha. GOD Almighty allows Elijah to persevere changing the difficulties and persecution into an opportunity to show the power of GOD Almighty. We learn that GOD Almighty listens to our prayers and they go up like incense and are stored in golden bowls. We learn that GOD Almighty did not forsake the prayers of Moses, Lot, David, and Elijah. We are instructed to keep praying and obeying the commandments of Moses allowing GOD Almighty to help us persevere even amidst times, circumstances, and persecution.