Fire that Brings Rain
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Intro:
1 And Elijah the Tishbite, of the inhabitants of Gilead, said to Ahab, “As the Lord God of Israel lives, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, except at my word.”
Today, as we continue to study prayer throughout the Scripture, I want to continue to focus on the life of Elijah. The title of my message is, [Fire that Brings Rain].
Before I moved to Vulcan, I never valued or noticed the importance of rain. Being from a city, the only reason we paid attention to rain was if we were going camping or deciding what to wear.
But all of that changed for me six years ago when I made Vulcan my home. Now, I pay attention to the rain, for a number of reasons.
One reason, I want to have something to discuss on Wednesday night during dinner. Second, rain can actually affect what we do.
I had always heard the saying, “Lord willing and the creek don’t rise.” I never understood it, now, when I hear it, I pray in Jesus name, that creek won’t rise!
Rain is important. If we go a week or two without rain, we all agree, its dry. We need rain. Normally after a few weeks, rain will fall, the grass will turn green again, everyone is happy.
But what happens during prolonged periods without rain? These times are called droughts. A drought can have a terrible impact on our lives.
In the 1930s a drought hit from Texas to Nebraska. The drought lasted so long that the dust and dirt began to fly around, hence the Dust Bowl. The dust spread measles, flu, and lung disease and many died of starvation and malnutrition.
In fact, from 1900 to 2000, 11,250,000 died worldwide because of a lack of food, lack of clean drinking water, and other various illnesses.
Lack of rain and droughts affect us either directly or indirectly:
Without rain, crops are destroyed. We are indirectly affected by the increased cost of food.
Without rain, it costs more money to feed and water the cattle and livestock. We are indirectly affected by higher meat and dairy prices.
Without rain, ground water decreases and wells become drier and have a higher risk of infectious diseases.
Without rain, trees dry up and eventually the grass itself dried up, leaving the ground desolate and cracking.
Of all of the negative impacts of a drought, one problem decreases— wildfires. Without grass or vegetation, fire has a hard time spreading.
Therefore, the threat of fire reduces dramatically. Eventually, all droughts end, but it requires rain.
I find it interesting that Elijah prophesied that God planned to withhold to dew and rain. Without rain problems would come, but dew would help the vineyard and the ground.
Yet God cut them off. No dew, no rain. Think of the devastating impact that came to Israel and the surrounding areas. All the problems I mentioned became commonplace in Israel.
But the drought and lack of rain was a symptom of the real problem. Because of Israel’s willful disobedience and wanton disregard of refusing other gods, the Lord withheld rain.
Imagine what it was like for the three years God withheld the rain, the blessings of God upon Israel. But thankfully, God sent a prophet to come and remind the people of His blessing.
We looked at this last week. But I noticed something about the miracles of Elijah calling fire from heaven. Remember, in a drought, fire does not come or spread easily.
It had been three and a half years without rain, but one word from the prophet, and God sent down the fire, which came on an offering that was drenched with water from the Mediterranean Sea.
But the moment God sent the fire, Elijah then had a prophecy, IT IS TIME FOR RAIN.
In scripture, fire represents purity and a passion for God, while rain represent God’s abundance, blessing, and presence.
Once the people were purified and passionate about God, it was time for the Lord to send His presence!
As I have prayed this year, I have emphasized the need for the Holy Spirit in our services and church.
For without the Holy Spirit, we will become dry and desolate Christians.
Without the Holy Spirit, we will lack power and passion.
But, when we allow God to consume us by the Holy Spirit, we will have a passion and power for God that will open the door for the rain from heaven to fall.
When God’s people get on fire for Him, it will bring the rain of God’s presence.
How do I know?
Once fire came from heaven, the drought in Israel came to an end.
I want to look at this progression and how a consistent prayer life, will help us stay full of the fire that brings rain. I have three points, [Praying the Promise], [Praying with Patience], and [Praying with Passion].
Let’s begin
1. Praying the Promise
1. Praying the Promise
41 Then Elijah said to Ahab, “Go up, eat and drink; for there is the sound of abundance of rain.”
Remember the scene on the top of Mount Carmel. After a three and a half year hiatus in Sidon, God sent Elijah back to Israel. He went to Ahab with a message, meet me on the mountain with your prophets.
The false prophets contended with their false god, and the Prophet of God called on the name of the Lord. Elijah succeeded where the prophet’s of Baal failed.
Fire came from heaven and everyone turned back to God. They went to the bottom of the hill to kill the false prophets.
Then Elijah turned to Ahab and explained, “Remember how I told you God will withhold the dew or rain until I say otherwise. Get read, I hear the sound of the abundance of rain, a mighty rainstorm is coming.”
Rain on Israel was a result of God’s blessing. Therefore, to receive God’s blessing, they had to stand on God’s promise. He promised to Moses:
In the Ten Commandments, God promised that He would judge those who made idols and bowed to them. For years now, Israel had bowed to the false god and idol Baal.
God kept His promise and judged Israel. But He also promised to show mercy to those who love Him. Elijah loved God and helped restore Israel back to God.
Therefore, God demonstrated His mercy by speaking to the prophet. I will send rain. But notice Elijah did not see the rain, but he HEARD the rain.
He knew God’s promise was enough. Even though he did not see the rain, he knew what God’s word said about the rain from heaven.
13 ‘And it shall be that if you earnestly obey My commandments which I command you today, to love the Lord your God and serve Him with all your heart and with all your soul,
14 then I will give you the rain for your land in its season, the early rain and the latter rain, that you may gather in your grain, your new wine, and your oil.
Elijah obeyed God by bringing a sacrifice to Him. Now, it was time, the rain would come in response to Israel serving God’s with their heart and soul.
When we allow the Holy Spirit to lead and guide us, a confidence rises within our spirit. We can look at a situation that seems desolate and distraught and still believe in God’s promise.
We must pray the promises of God over our lives and our family. God’s promises are yes and amen. He will do what He said He will do!
Elijah prayed the promise of God. But He also committed to...
2. Praying with Patience
2. Praying with Patience
42 So Ahab went up to eat and drink. And Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; then he bowed down on the ground, and put his face between his knees,
43 and said to his servant, “Go up now, look toward the sea.” So he went up and looked, and said, “There is nothing.” And seven times he said, “Go again.”
As a man of the Spirit, Elijah understood that having a promise and seeing the promised fulfilled were to separate matters.
God promised rain, but there was not a cloud in the sky. But Elijah was patient with God. He knew God’s timing was better than his timing. If God said it was going to rain, it will rain!
Notice what Elijah did. As Ahab ate, Elijah separated himself. He went back to where the fire of God fell. Now, being in the same spot where God brought the fire, he began to pray for God to bring the rain.
After separating himself, he humbled himself. He bowed to the ground in a posture of humility before God.
Why did Elijah humble himself?
He knew the tactic of the enemy. After a great victory, it is often hard to show humility. It could have been tempting for Elijah to think, I called down fire from heaven, this rain situation will be easy to resolve.
But Elijah knew he needed God’s help. In a state of humility and separation he was very specific and persistent. He told his servant, GO UP NOW and look toward the sea.
I can picture the prophet, praying and interceding for rain. He sent the servant, but to no avail There was nothing in the sky. But Elijah was patient with God.
He understood that God’s timing is not ours and His will is better. The Lord promised to send rain, so he specifically looked for the rain.
But God did not get in a hurry. Seven times he continued to tell the servant, go and see if there is a cloud or rain.
When we pray and seek God, we nee to remain patient. Our patience will manifest through our consistency in separating ourselves to humble ourselves before God.
We need to separate time every day and throughout the day to spend time with God. Then, with just God and us, we should humble ourselves before the Lord.
Humbling ourselves includes acknowledging that we need God and cannot make it without Him. Then, let’s get specific and persistent in our prayers.
Dr. Cho, who pastors the largest church in the world in Seoul, Korea, tells the story of when he first started in ministry. He was poor, living in a small room with no heat in the winter.
He prayed and asked God for a bicycle to visit his members, a desk so he could study, and a chair for the desk. That may not seem like much, but 68 years ago, it was hard to find in Korea.
He prayed for six months and grew discouraged because he did not have an answer to his prayers. Finally, he asked God, why it took so long. He grew discouraged, and God answered.
Son, I heard you from the first day you prayed. You want a bike, but you haven’t told me which kind. You want a desk, but you haven’t told me which wood. You want a chair, but you haven’t told me what type.
Dr. Cho answered, a bike from America, a desk made from Philippine mahogany, and a chair with wheels on the bottom. Within two weeks, God answered His request and gave him everything he needed!
When we pray the promises of God, with patience, specifically seeking God for what we need, He will answer.
For Elijah, he needed rain. He prayed specifically for the rain, standing on God’s promises, patiently waiting on the Lord, and then, He began...
3. Praying with Passion
3. Praying with Passion
44 Then it came to pass the seventh time, that he said, “There is a cloud, as small as a man’s hand, rising out of the sea!” So he said, “Go up, say to Ahab, ‘Prepare your chariot, and go down before the rain stops you.’ ”
45 Now it happened in the meantime that the sky became black with clouds and wind, and there was a heavy rain. So Ahab rode away and went to Jezreel.
Finally, after the seventh time, the servant returned with a new report. There is a cloud as small as a man’s hand. To some this would become discouraging.
God promised rain and all we have is this dinky little cloud. But for Elijah, that was all he needed. A cloud the size of a man’s hand rising from the sea was the answer Israel needed!
Elijah went to Elijah, with great passion and declared, you better get back to Jezreel, rain is coming and if you don’t get now, the rain will stop you!
How could he declare this with such passion when the cloud was so small?
As a man of prayer, he was passionate about God. He had supernatural faith and he declared the word of the Lord. Ahab left for Jezreel, but God was not done with Elijah.
46 Then the hand of the Lord came upon Elijah; and he girded up his loins and ran ahead of Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel.
As Elijah started to make his way to Jezreel, seventeen miles from Mount Carmel. The Holy Spirit came on him and gave him supernatural strength. He was translated, outrunning Elijah’s chariot.
Supernatural results flow when people pray God’s promises with patience and passion! Elijah was passionate about God and the Lord responded to His passion by enabling him to do what was humanly impossible!
As people of the Spirit, when we remain consistent and passionate in our prayer life, we position ourselves for God to enable us to do what would otherwise be impossible.
Elijah was not timid in his prayers or his dealings with Ahab. Why? Elijah knew the enemy was not timid in his attacks and assaults against Israel!
Therefore, he would stand for what was right, always praying and seeking God for His will and way in Israel!
Close:
God sent fire that brought rain. Once Israel returned to God in purity and power, the Lord send rain, to refresh them.
Likewise, as followers of Christ, when we stay on fire for God, we can pray for the rain from heaven, and God will send the rain to come and saturate us with His presence!
Who desires to be so on fire for God that we can live in the rain of HIs presence?
What is the requirement?
16 Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.
17 Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months.
18 And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit.
We have to confess our sins and let God purify us! Then, we must remember, with the obstacle of sin removed, we can pray and pray effectively.
The prayers of God’s people have tremendous power. Praying produces wonderful results when we pray passionately, with patience, standing on God’s promises.
How do we know?
James, the brother of Jesus, compared our Elijah in prayer with that of Elijah!
Elijah was a person like us, he had human frailties, doubts, and questions. But he prayed and received supernatural answers!
If God could do what He did for Elijah, what can God do in and through us?
We must never limit God by our experience, instead we should pray God to get us fired up so we can walk in the rain of His presence.
Notice what took place in Acts 2 and 3.
Acts 2:3-4, tongues as of fire rested on the 120 in the Upper Room.
Acts 3:19, Peter told the crowd that times of refreshing may come.
There is a reason I emphasized the work and person of the Holy Spirit. Without Him, we will dry up and become a desolate church.
But when God sends His fire upon us, when we become passionate for Him, we will endeavor to live a life of purity.
Notice the difference between Elijah and the false prophets. Elijah stayed close to God, while the false prophets wanted their idol and God to coexist.
Elijah was patient and held onto God’s promise. Therefore, in the midst of a terrible drought, God sent fire from heaven. The fire then brought the rain.
We live in a land that has been in a spiritual drought for some time. It seems the past year has gotten our nation’s spiritual condition desolate.
Therefore, God wants to raise up men and women, boys and girls, who will get on fire for God. Who will pray for Jesus to baptize them with the Holy Spirit and with fire.
For when the fire comes, it will burn up every trace of sin and consume us.
Then, when we’re consumed with a burning passion for God. We will pray God’s promises with patience and passion.
Then when the time is right, God will send His rain from heaven!
Physical droughts have terrible consequences, but so do spiritual droughts.
We are in a spiritual drought in our country. But God has an answer. When the church of Jesus Christ get’s on fire for Him, reading our Bible, praying, coming to church when the doors are open, then we set ourselves up for the rain fro heaven to fall on us!