LBC Sermons & Messages

I Kings 18:30-38

In these verses we see Elijah’s effectual prayer for revival among the people and God’s miraculous answer.

Verses 30-35, we have a call for repentance, in calling the people to “come near to me … and he repaired the altar”. The altar is God’s prescribed means of access and fellowship with Him. Due to sin this altar was broken down and needed to be repaired The nation has experienced a drought for the last 31/2 years and the only way out is to get right with God.

At times we as individual believers or a church body fined ourselves in periods of drought. No fruitfulness, no one being saved, no spiritual growth, no joy of salvation in our lives, just existing and nothing else. We need to examine ourselves before the Lord to make sure there is no sin in our lives that is hindering us and if there is, then we need to deal with it by confessing it and repenting of it (I John 1:9). David is a good example, after his sin he experienced a drought in his life (Psa 32, 51) and the only way back to a fruitful life was thru repentance (Psa 51:16-17).

Verses 36-37, is a call for restoration and in this very short prayer, Elijah desires that Israel know three truths. 1) That Israel will know that Jehovah is the only God, 2) that Israel would in actuality know that it was God seeking them and 3) that Israel be restored to fellowship.

In verse 38, we see that God immediately answers Elijah’s prayer, proving that He alone is God and that he has heard their plea.

Psa 34:18 “the Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.”

Psa 145:18 “the Lord is nears to all who call upon him, to all who call upon him in truth.”

In a drought, examine your heart and call upon the Lord.