Elijah's Rain

Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for over three and a half years. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops. James 5:17-18 NIV

Elijah was just like us. It says it in the Bible, so it must be true, right? Well, in biological terms Elijah was indeed just like us; skin, bones, muscle tissue, nervous system, etc. There should be no arguments or questions in regards to what James tells us Elijah. Or is there?

Let’s take a look at this from a different perspective, beginning with Elijah, the man.

Elijah was a prophet who boldly proclaimed to Ahab, the King of Israel that not another drop of rain would fall on Ahab’s country until Elijah said that it would!

Now Elijah, the Tishbite, from Tishbe in Gilead, said to Ahab, “As the Lord, the God of Israel, lives, whom I serve, there will be neither dew nor rain in the next few years except at my word.” 1 Kings 17:1

Elijah prayed to the Lord, asking Him to carry his prediction to Ahab. Scripture tells us that God indeed answered Elijah’s request. No rain, not even a drop, fell on Israel for over three years.

One day God told Elijah to make a visit to Ahab, and He would end the drought that had fallen upon all of Israel. Which is exactly what Elijah did, and he boldly proclaimed to Ahab that it would rain.

End of story, right? Well, not exactly. Elijah gave specific instructions to Ahab to prepare for the rains that were coming, including having a feast. Ahab did exactly as Elijah had instructed, joyfully anticipating the arrival of the heavy rains. That didn’t come.

Elijah climbed to the top of Mount Carmel, and got on his knees, and burying his face between them, began to pray for rain. The rain didn’t come. Again, Elijah prayed for the rain. Still, the rain didn’t come. Undeterred, Elijah turned to the Lord in prayer. He knew that God would send the rain, just as He had promised. Finally, after the seventh time, heavy rains fell upon the Israelites.

Elijah prayed.

Is any of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise. Is any one of you sick?...And the prayer offered in faith will make him the sick person well…If he has sinned, he will be forgiven…The prayer of the righteous man is powerful and effective.

James 5:13-16

Elijah, the man of skin and bone and flesh was indeed just like us. In that there is no question.

Elijah, a man just like us, was filled with unwavering faith that can only be obtained by being filled with the Holy Spirit. That being said, the question that remains is:

Are you like Elijah?