It's Showtime!
And it came to pass after many days, that the word of the LORD came to Elijah in the third year, saying, Go, shew thyself unto Ahab; and I will send rain upon the earth. ~1 Kings 18:1
Elijah had been in seclusion for three years. God closed the heavens and withheld rain from Israel during that time as judgment for their sin of idolatry. The population experienced widespread famine during this time. It was a time of desperation. It was time of depletion. Things were bad and getting worse. Worst, King Ahab and the people made no attempt to repent of their sin and turn back to God. Now after three years, God’s timing was in full play. It was showtime. God would show up and reveal Who the real God was.
There was the undue duration.
“And it came to pass after many days....” Elijah was a nobody until 1 Kings 17:1. He made his abode in the rugged hills of Gilead. He was a descendant of the Tishbites: a man who was raised to work hard, endure hardness, and who developed a heart for God. God sent this “nobody” to King Ahab with the stern and unbending message that “there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word.” God did what He said He would do. There was no rain for three years. When there is no rain for three years, that’s a long time. When your crops dry up and resources are gone for three years, that’s a long time. When God hides His face and favor from you for three years, that’s a long time! When someone is away from God for three years, that’s a long time! Are you going through a spiritual famine? Have the resources in your life been drying up? How long has it been since you saw God do something great in your life?
There was the unerring directive.
“The word of the LORD came to Elijah.” It may have been a time of dried up resources for everyone in Israel, but it was a time of abounding supply for Elijah. Elijah remained faithful, obedient, and watchful in God’s Word during those many days. The Word of the Lord came to him and told him to go Cherith and hide himself. The Word of the Lord came to him and told him to move to Zarephath. The Word of the Lord told the widow at Zarephath that the barrel of meal and cruse of oil would not fail. Now, the Word of the Lord came to Elijah to go to Ahab. Regardless of things around us, we must stay in the Word of the Lord for our direction. God’s Word never fails. God’s timing is always right. Three years prior, God’s Word told Elijah, “Hide thyself.” Now, God’s Word commanded him, “Go, shew thyself.” Do you want to know what you are supposed to do? Be in the Word of God for every step you are to take.
There was the unbelievable demonstration.
“I will send rain upon the earth.” God would end the drought! God would send rain once again. God showed Ahab and Jezebel that it was their fault that judgment came upon the land. God showed that the prophets of Baal were powerless and false. God showed that “power belongeth unto God.” It was showtime! It was the right timing for God to show up. God would show up and leave no question in anyone’s mind that He alone is in control. God showed up and demonstrated that there is no power comparable to His power. When God showed up, the people said in one accord, “The LORD, he is the God; the LORD, he is the God.”
How long has it been since you’ve seen an unbelievable demonstration from God? How long has it been since the Word of the Lord came to you? Perhaps today is “showtime” for God in your life!
Have a Spirit-reviving God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: Mark 4-5