Spiritual Growth 5

1 Kings 17:1 (Prophecy of no rain)

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.” 

1 Kings 18:1 (The promise of rain)

And it came to pass after many days that the word of the LORD came to Elijah, in the third year, saying, “Go, present yourself to Ahab, and I will send rain on the earth.”

EXAMPLE OF DETERMINED PRAYER:

1.Persistent prayer brings results.

1 Kings 18:41-44

41 Then Elijah said to Ahab, “Go up, eat and drink; for there is the SOUND OF ABUNDANCE OF RAIN.” 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.” 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.’”

2. God  follows through on what He begins.

1 Kings 18:1 (The promise of rain) 

And it came to pass after many days that the word of the LORD came to Elijah, in the third year, saying, “Go, PRESENT YOURSELF to Ahab, and I WILL SEND RAIN on the earth.” 

1 Kings 18:45 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. 

3.  Empowerment comes by the hand of the Lord. 

1 Kings 18:46 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. 

Acts 1:8 (The Promise) But YOU SHALL RECEIVE POWER WHEN THE HOLY SPIRIT HAS COME UPON YOU; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”