The Sound Of Abundance Of Rain, 2of4, Evans Olang

1Kings 18:21-43, “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.” 

In talking about drought in the last year, who would not want the rain of God’s blessings in this new year? Ahab and the people expected that Elijah would, in this solemn assembly, bless the land, and pray for rain; but he had something else to do first. The people must be brought to repent and reform, and then they may look for the removal of the judgment, but not until then.

I am always amazed how majority of televangelist tell us to claim and receive blessings, but rarely do we hear about restoring and reforming things lost and bent out of shape. Building what it will take to maintain blessings. No one pours precious stuff in leaking vessels, it will all leak out. You have to restore the vessel, repair it first. We need our character and integrity built to sustain and retain the blessings brought about by God. How often do we pray to God to build our character, integrity, give wisdom, teach us patience, desiring preparation to be good stewards? It is easy to ask for blessings with nothing to sustain them. Listen to what Elijah did in preparation to what God was going to do, 1Kings 18:30, “Then Elijah said to all the people, “Come near to me.”… And he repaired the altar of the LORD that was broken down”. Instead of Elijah doing something new, he repaired the old the Israelites had left broken to seek other things. You may have left the ways by which to be blessed and sought other ways. You may have run from one conference to another; trying to work your way through things yourself; waiting for someone to have a word from the Lord for you. We have to go back to the foundation, Prayer and the Word, they are the means by which we are restored (repaired)

While others are looking for the new sensations, new fads, new experiences, new feelings, extra biblical manifestations, I believe God is bringing His people back to the basics; where the lost direction is restored. In repairing the altar of the Lord broken down, Paul encourages believers in Romans 12:1 by saying, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service”. The repaired altar is for a sacrifice that is pleasing to the Lord. You may have been damaged by sin, damaged by drought; fear, doubt, depression etc., instead of seeking God for something new, why not seek the Lord to repair you again for His service. No one is beyond repair.

My prayer, “God do not send your rain of blessings until you have repaired me first”, I do not want blessings poured in a leaking vessel, it will not retain it. I desire of the Lord that my life will be presented to Him a living sacrifice for His service. A life consecrated for His work. More displaying His glory. Giving Him what is right rather than what is left. I would desire for you and myself this year more of spiritual blessings, it begins with repair. What are you trusting God for this year? Are you open to repair? Then it is time to report to the Lord’s workshop in Jeremiah 18. To continue. Blessings Ev