April 17, 2020 . . . . . . . .I Kings 18:41-46

Who is the fastest runner in history? Google will tell you it is Usain Bolt, who reached 27 mph. Those familiar with Mr. Bolt’s performance will remember that he reached these speeds at race distances of 100 and 200 meters. Some horses have been clocked at over 50 mph and many race horses can sustain speeds well over 20 mph.

About 3,000 years ago, the hand of the Lord was on Elijah the prophet when he ran faster from Mount Carmel to Jezreel (about 20 miles) than the horses of King Ahab’s chariot. The skeptic would say the rain started and Ahab’s chariot got stuck in the mud; the mention of the hand of the Lord upon Elijah reveals this was no mere natural phenomenon but a supernatural act of God.*

We first read of Elijah when he was sent to Ahab to tell him that God was withholding rain from the earth (17:1). Three years later, with the people starving and the land dry, the Lord showed His great power to Israel with fire on Mount Carmel. With that demonstration the Lord determined to send rain back to Israel (18:41).

After Elijah revealed God’s will to Ahab regarding the rain he did something exemplary for all who follow after him in the faith: He went to the top of Mount Carmel and prayed.

How often do we give thanks, praise, and adoration to the Lord for the great works he has done for us in the past? We often pray asking God for needs in the present. We often pray asking for the fire from heaven. But how do we respond to God when He gives us those desires of our prayers and much more? God answered Elijah’s prayer wonderfully and dreadfully. God destroyed the prophets of Baal. God protected Elijah those three years. God was sending rain again to Israel. So Elijah went to the top of the mountain and prayed. May we spend much time in prayer to the Lord thanking Him for His answers to prayer and pleading with Him for strength, faith, and perseverance for the trials that await us in the future.**

While Elijah was praying on the mountain he sent his servant seven times to search for the rain clouds over the Mediterranean Sea. It started with a little cloud on the seventh trip. From that small cloud came a great rain fall, the likes of which the Israelites had not seen in at least three years. After God’s judgment on His enemies, He literally poured out His showers of blessings on His people.

Each Sunday at church my pastor reminds us where our help comes from, “My help comes from the Lord, who made the heaven and the earth” (Psalm 121:2). Israel’s help came from the Lord. Elijah’s help came from the Lord. Where does your help come from today? May it always be from the Lord, for He alone “will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore” (Psalm 121:8).

As the rain was coming and Ahab was heading back to Jezreel the Lord put His hand on Elijah to run!

.

.

*Elijah’s twenty mile run reminds me of Psalm 118: 29,31-33 “For by you I can run against a troop, and by my God I can leap over a wall… For who is God, but the Lord? And who is a rock, except our God? The God who equipped me with strength and made my way blameless. He made my feet like the feet of a deer and set me secure on the heights.”

**It will not be a life of ease for Elijah from here on out. Queen Jezebel still has her mind set on Elijah’s murder.

.

.