There are many decisions we must make in a day. Some smaller than others, and some that could affect our entire future.Sometimes we make decisions unknowingly, or just react from our opinion of things before we have the Lord's mind on the matter. As God's people, we should always base our opinions and decisions directly from God's Word and His commandments if we are to see true Revival.
I Kings 18 finds Elijah the prophet being sent to the wicked King of Israel, Ahab. Elijah was accused by Ahab of troubling Israel, because he had spoken by God's commandment, that there would be no rain for three years. This was judgment toward Israel because they had stopped following God and were now worshipping Baal, the false god.Elijah said in verse 21, "How long halt ye between two opinions? if the Lord be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him NOT A WORD."Does this not sound like the shape of our country and God's people? Ungodly leaders that blame 'right-winged' leaders for our troubles, and Christians that say we are God's people, but we appear to follow the ways of this world's god? In order for us to see real revival, we HAVE to make a choice. God says in Luke 16:13"No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. ye cannot serve God and mammon (man)." We have to make a choice as to whom we will follow and obey. James 1:8 says, "A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways." James 4:4 also tells us "that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? "
Elijah challenged the followers of Baal to a contest to see which God would answer their prayer and sacrifice by fire. Elijah had to repair the altar of the Lord that had been broken down BEFORE he could offer the sacrifice (vs.30). The altar was where they sought forgiveness of sins to have fellowship with Him. We have to have our personal altar repaired before we can obey and sacrifice, and see God's fire fall.The altar was made of stone, signifying it was built upon Jesus,(Matthew 16:18).Our forgiveness of sin is through the Saviour, our Rock, alone.Verse 32-35 of the same chapter say that he filled 4 barrels with water and soaked the altar with it three times. The water is a type of God's word. If he did it three times (for the trinity), then it would have been a total of 12 barrels all together. 12 in the Bible stands for perfection. We need to be "soaked" in God's PERFECT WORD, Psalm 19:7.Daily prayer and reading of the scriptures is when the Lord speaks to us.How can we be used, or know God's will for us if we neglect to do so? "Seek ye out of the book of the Lord and read;" Isaiah 34:16a. "Pray without ceasing." I.Thess. 5:17. May the Lord help us to purpose as Daniel that we will come before him daily in prayer to seek His face. Hebrews 10:22a, "Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith...".
Lastly, after he repaired the altar, he prepared and offered the sacrifice. THEN the fire of God fell. Elijah was obedient to the commandment of the Lord and God showed Himself mightily to His people that day.He repaired what was broken between God and Israel. God honors faithfulness & obedience. "To obey is better than sacrifice," I. Samuel 15:22c. Hebrews 11:6a says, "But without faith it is IMPOSSIBLE to please him...". After we get our hearts clean from sin and back in fellowship with Him, then we can obey and serve. God's fire fell, which showed He was pleased with Elijah and HIS power was on him. Israel saw this and said in verse 39 "..the Lord , he is the God..". When we walk with the Lord and obey Him, others can see His power in our lives.We are a walking testimony and proclaim Him to be Lord. "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in Heaven." Matthew 5:16. After, the sacrifice was accepted, God sent the blessing. Elijah said "....there is a sound of abundance of rain." (vs.41)
If we are to see the blessing of "rain", or revival in our homes, churches, and nation, we must choose to repair our altar, obey, and proclaim the name of Jesus. As Joshua said. ".....Choose ye this day whom ye will serve...AS FOR ME AND MY HOUSE, WE WILL SERVE THE LORD."
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