The Sound of a Mighty Rain
When Elijah prayed for rain in 1 kings 18:42 it says that he put his
head between his knees, like a woman in the birthing position . All revival
is birthed through the travail of prayer and groaning before the Lord.
The next thing Elijah does is to send his servant to look for signs of
clouds . This is putting faith into action .Elijah told his servant to
go back 7 times . This is praying and not giving up because birthing
is a process.
On the 7th trip to the sea in verse 44 Elijah’s servant says he sees a
cloud as big as a man’s fist rising out of the sea. The servant saw a small cloud, Elijah saw a mighty downpour which is seeing through the eyes of faith.
Do not despise nor be discouraged at small beginnings . For this little , seemingly
insignificant cloud , became a mighty downpour of rain accompanied by
a mighty wind. Sounds like revival to me.
Remember, when Elijah challenged the false prophets, each built an
altar. However, it was Elijah who offered a sacrifice pleasing to the
Lord because, if you recall, the scripture says the there was no rain
or dew for the space of 3 years. To offer 12 huge jars of water to the
Lord in a time of drought is both great faith and great sacrifice and, what we call sacrifice, God calls worship.
False Religion/ Beliefs are challenged:
1Ki 18:22 And Elijah said to the people, I, I alone, remain a
prophet of Jehovah. But Baal’s prophets are four hundred and fifty
men.
1Ki 18:23 And let them give us two bulls, and let them choose one
bull for themselves, and cut it in pieces and lay it on wood. But
place no fire. And I will dress the other bull and lay it on wood, and
place no fire.
1Ki 18:24 And you call on the name of your gods, and I will call on
the name of Jehovah. And it shall be, the god that answers by fire, He
is God. And all the people answered and said, The word is good.
Foundation of Worship is restored:
1Ki 18:30 And Elijah said to all the people, Come near to me.
And all the people came near him. And he repaired the broken down
altar of Jehovah.
1Ki 18:31 And Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of
the tribes of the sons of Jacob, to whom the Word of Jehovah came,
saying, Israel shall be your name.
1Ki 18:32 And with stones he built an altar in the name of Jehovah
Great Sacrifice is offered
And he arranged the wood, and cut the bull in pieces, and placed it on the wood, and said, Fill four water jars with water and pour on the burnt sacrifice and on the wood. And he said, Do it the second time. And they did it the second time. And he said, Do it the third time. And they did it the third time. And the water ran all around the altar. And he filled the trench also with water.
(1Ki 18:33-35)
Realize that there had been a drought in Israel for 3 years and these jars were not small pitchers, they were huge. To dump them out upon an offering given to the Lord is in essence pouring out your life because we can’t live without water.
The Fire of God Falls at the prayer of the Prophet:
1Ki 18:36 And it happened at the time of the offering of the
evening sacrifice, Elijah the prophet came near and said, Jehovah, the
God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that
You are God in Israel, and that I am Your servant, and that I have
done all these things at Your Word.
1Ki 18:37 Hear me, O Jehovah, hear me, that this people may know that
You are Jehovah God, and that You have turned their heart back again.
1Ki 18:38 And the fire of Jehovah fell and burned up the burnt
sacrifice and the wood, and the stones and the dust, and licked up the
water that was in the trench.
Restoration of the People:
1Ki 18:39 And when all the people saw, they fell on their faces.
And they said, Jehovah, He is the God! Jehovah, He is the God
My Dreams and Visions 