Posted on Thu, Feb 5, 2009
It's Gonna Rain!
Speaker: Elder Ayodeji Adesina (Lay Pastor, BHSDAC)
(Message summarised by Sis. Ayobola Akwarandu)
(Message summarised by Sis. Ayobola Akwarandu)
1 Kings 18: 41 - 46
In Chapter 17 of 1 Kings, Elijah declared a curse that there will be no rain for 3yrs and God honoured his statement so much that even the brook Elijah took refuge dried up. However God led him to a widow who ministered to him. In the first part of Chapter 18, fire came down from heaven and consumed the altar and sacrifice. The drought continued for 3.5yrs even though Elijah said 3yrs. You may have been experiencing a similar ‘drought’ in your life, a drought that has been going on for too long. The children of Israel experienced what a real drought was! Can you imagine that some of their little children had never experienced rain? At this period of credit crunch, you may be experiencing droughts of sickness, joblessness, disabilities, instabilities and even spiritual droughts, and praying endlessly to hear from God? Do you struggle to praise God spontaneously and yearn for God’s presence in your life? Have you been expecting a dramatic change in your situation?
Well, first and foremost, know that every drought has a beginning and an end. God has ‘moisture and rain’ to take away your drought. Some droughts come to us as individuals, or families, or in our ministries, or even as a Church. No matter what type of drought you are experiencing, remember that droughts don’t last forever. There are lessons for us to learn from this passage:
- Elijah declared there was rain before there was rain! Even though there is recession in the land, declare the rain in your home. Elijah said he heard the sound of an abundance of rain even while he was still in the desert with dried crunchy leaves around him, dried patched throat, weakened animals and men. Yet he said ‘I hear the sound of an abundance of rain’. Friends, he must have heard with his spiritual ears. He saw something out of nothing. Elijah did not say it might sprinkle some rain today then maybe later some rain, he declared it straight away. Did you notice it was just the man of God who heard the sound? Not even his servant? This means you have to be in tune with heaven to hear the abundance of rain. Trust God and He will cause the rain, without holding back, to pour in your life, your family, your job. You must believe God and then He will show you great things not the other way round. Job says ‘though He slays me, I will believe Him. You must see it with your spirit eyes and call it forth to happen. You must first hear it before you see it, that God’s way!
- Elijah kept asking/praying for the rain. It took 7 looks before the servant saw ‘something like the hand of a man’. Are you still praying or have you given up? You ought to pray and not give up. Do not be discouraged. In verse 42, after making the declaration based on his belief, Elijah went up to the mountain, had his head between his knees and prayed! He prayed his declaration to manifestation. Some have become experts in quoting God’s Word but don’t pray to back it up. Billy Graham said “heaven is full of answers to prayers with no one to claim them”. You have to go to your mountain top. Elijah was persistent and expectant. If you are believing God for a job, race to the phone when it rings, consider opportunities that come your way by His grace. Elijah insisted so much that he sent his servant 6 times and then again the 7th times and acted straight away on the report of a tiny cloud.
- Answers to prayers can come from a small start. Some people say ‘I’ll quit going to church cos I’ve been trying for so long… if only they can hold on for a little while longer. God’s got a package for you. Zech 4: 10. You must keep at it even if you see nothing. On these 4-6 trips Elijah’s servant would be wondering why he had to keep going up and down, but there came a time when the hand-like cloud appeared. Friends, your cloud will appear, your wind will blow and your rain will fall. Notice that on the 7th time when the servant saw the cloud, Elijah did not say, 'Are you sure'? Look again? He immediately issued instructions for King Ahab to make haste lest he is soaked with rain… you need to anticipate your miracle!
- Elijah ran under God’s spirit for about 25miles and even outran the chariot of King Ahab. Even if you are a cripple, the spirit of God will empower you and you will outrun your enemies. It is about to rain in your situation. Trust the Lord and beat your chest in agreement. When God starts with you, people will wonder how the impossible became possible. Go through your week knowing that no matter what had happened last week, it is going to rain this week!
Declare to your ‘situation’ today that, IT’S GONNA RAIN!!!
(If you will like to obtain a DVD of the full message, please call ++447748 807550 or ++447853 121918, or email bhsdacpastors@aol.com. Within UK, the price is £3 but if you enquire, we may even be able to send you a free copy)
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