We’re busy with 1 Kings 18. We’re mirroring our hearts in the life of Elijah so we can see who the real men and women of God are.
In Elijah’s ministry at that particular time his focus person was Ahab. Even though Elijah did great miracles in front of others and demonstrated the Lord’s astounding power, the Lord had Ahab in mind when Elijah was sent. In 1 Kings 17:1 Elijah went to Ahab to tell him there would be no rain, in chapter 18:1 “the word of the LORD came to Elijah: ‘Go and present yourself to Ahab, and I will send rain on the land,’” in verse 41, after the Carmel incident, “Elijah said to Ahab, ‘Go, eat and drink, for there is the sound of a heavy rain,’” and in verse 44, after he received the evidence of rain coming he told his servant: “Go and tell Ahab, ‘Hitch up your chariot and go down before the rain stops you.’” He always went to look for Ahab.
Like any defence force General the Lord works strategically. He uses specific people to accomplish particular purposes. He is also careful to match the right people so He could get the best results, which is why we are not in control of our own lives and should be available to the Lord whenever He needs us. Ahab was the king of Israel and the Lord tried to get him to change so Israel could serve Him again – from the top down. Elijah was just an ordinary man with an anointing on his life and was chosen for that purpose, which is why his focus was on Ahab.
You may consider yourself just an ordinary person, but if you feel compelled to make some leader aware of unbiblical or ungodly behaviour such as mentioned in the sixth part in this series yesterday, you should obey. The church in many ways could be much more effective if we actually obey the Bible to the letter, but many leaders don’t have the revelation or the understanding to get their people to that level. The Lord may desire to use you to earnestly pray continuously for such leaders until you see change in their approach toward the Kingdom issues, and also to befriend and teach them what the Word actually says. It may not only be leaders. The Lord might put somebody specific on your way, who you should love until the person discovers the love of Jesus.
The real men or women of God are not those who appear to get God-pleasing results, but those who actually get them – obedience to Father God. “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven,” (Matthew 7:21). These are those who pray earnestly, share the gospel regularly with unbelievers, challenge believers with the truth and serve those whom the Lord loves, i.e. living out their gifting sacrificially even though nobody sees them. Are you one of them?
Elijah was connected with Ahab until he got the Lord’s message though to him and until the Lord accomplished in Ahab’s life what He wanted to. It was not always easy for Elijah and he was not very popular. There was also not much time and energy for other distractions, since he had to be focused on the Lord, but did he have great adventures together with the Lord in accomplishing His goals? How about you?
You see, real adventure or a real kick is to see God in action – better than any sport.
Lord, help me to faithfully pursue your purposes for the people you put in my way.
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