James 5:17-18: Elijah Was A Man With A Nature Like Ours

James 5:17–18
[17] Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. [18] Then he prayed again, and heaven gave rain, and the earth bore its fruit. (ESV)

Do you have a favorite verse of Scripture? You probably have a few special passages from the Word of God that give you inspiration and hope. This passage is one my favorites. When it comes to prayer we sometimes feel like God will listen to everyone else but us. For whatever reason the enemy seems able to convince us that God is deaf to our concerns. This could not be further from the truth.

James reminds his reader of one of the greatest prophets in all of Scripture. Perhaps you remember the showdown between himself and the prophets of Baal. He told them that they should set up an altar with a sacrifice, and he would also set up an altar. The God who answered their prayers by raining down fire to light the sacrifice was God. God victoriously responded to Elijah's prayer by fire.

James uses this illustration of Elijah praying that it would not rain. It did not rain for three and a half years. He prayed again for rain, and it rained. Elijah was directed by the Holy Spirit when it came to his praying for rain. He had a relationship with God and as a result, he prayed in accordance with God's divine plan.

You need to understand that in the Bible even the heroes are flawed human creatures. The encouragement from this verse comes in the words, "a man with a nature like ours." You are no different than Elijah in your nature. Just as God was able to lead Elijah by his Holy Spirit, even though he was a sinful man, so also he can lead you in spite of your nature. He will listen to you.

What are you struggling with? Go to the Lord and pour out your heart to him. He will listen to you just like he listened to Elijah.

Comments

Romans 8:18: For I Consider That The Sufferings Of This Present Time Are Not Worth Comparing

Romans 8:18 [18] For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. (ESV) Perspective. What an important word. Let's be honest. We do not like the idea of suffering. We will do almost anything to avoid any kind of suffering. Some churches have gone so far as to preach against the idea of suffering, declaring it to not be a part of the true believer's life. Paul is not shy about the topic. Paul uses the sufferings of this present time as a means to consider the greater glory that awaits us. Perspective. Paul is not in any way attempting to diminish our suffering. A view toward eternity puts our suffering in a proper understanding. Yes, our suffering is terrible. In the grand scheme of eternity it is not even worth comparison. Maybe you are thinking that Paul does not know what he is talking about when it comes to suffering. In 2 Corinthians 11 Paul describes countless beatings, often near death,

Romans 15:20-21: And Thus I Make It My Ambition To Preach The Gospel, Not Where Christ Has Already Been Named

Romans 15:20–21 [20] and thus I make it my ambition to preach the gospel, not where Christ has already been named, lest I build on someone else's foundation, [21] but as it is written, “Those who have never been told of him will see, and those who have never heard will understand.” (ESV) We need to be reminded continually that the message of the Gospel is intended to move all across the world. Jesus said that his followers were to preach the Gospel, starting in Jerusalem, and continue preaching the Gospel to the whole world. Christians have not always been good at delivering the Gospel message as far and as often as they should. In the first century church it took intense persecution to motivate the disciples in Jerusalem to bring the Gospel to Judea and Samaria. Once the disciples fled to new regions they shared the Gospel wherever they went. Would the disciples have preached the Gospel without the persecution? We may never know. Some probably would have stayed in their co

James 2:18: I Will Show You My Faith By My Works

James 2:18 [18] But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. (ESV) There are certain things in life that go together. Peanut butter and jelly. Double stuff Oreo cookies and milk. Faith and works. James raises the point that someone might argue that faith and works can be separated. "One will say, "You have faith and I have works." Is it ok for works to be separated from faith? James is making the argument that faith and works are not to be separated. James is saying to the one who has faith only, with no works, that he wants them to see his faith by his works. In other words, if you are going to claim to have faith, but have no works, you have no evidence of faith. If I am to believe that a person has genuine faith I can only see that by their works. Faith brings action. There are so many people to claim to have some kind of faith, yet when it comes down to it, their

Every Day Devotion

Search This Blog