Not everyone wants revival to happen. Revival transforms the people of God from spiritual death to life. We can imagine the spiritual resistance from the principalities and powers when God begins to awaken his people. In recent days, many in our church have shared the challenges they have faced as our revival meetings drew near.
Elijah obeyed God and Israel turned away from Baal and back to Yahweh, the Lord. For three years it had not rained. Then Elijah prayed for it to rain and a small cloud appeared on the horizon. Elijah told his servant: “Run. The storm is coming.” Tucking his cloak in his belt, Elijah outran Ahab’s chariot down Mount Carmel. Elijah had defeated hundreds of false prophets on the mountain. His God was still undefeated.
Then Jezebel found out. She threatened Elijah’s life, and he was afraid. Process that thought with me. Elijah was afraid of the queen though he had not feared hundreds of prophets. So, he resigned. Or at least he tried to. One of my pastor friends said he practiced his resignation every Monday. But God never accepted Elijah’s resignation. Having descended from Carmel, Isaiah descended emotionally and spiritually into the valley. But God sent him back to the mountain of God. There God came to him and commissioned him. God gave him a re-call.
When we want to quit, remember God is not finished. He will let us know when it is time to go. Years ago, I noticed that Elijah prayed to die. God never granted that request. Elijah finished strongly, and he never died. God took him home in a chariot. Revival is happening. So we pray with the old hymn, “Savior, Savior, hear my humble cry. While on others you are calling, do not pass me by.”
