“After a long time, in the third year of the drought, the word of the LORD came to Elijah: “Go and present yourself to Ahab, and I will send rain upon the face of the earth.”” 1st Kings 18:1 NIV

THE WORD OF THE LORD WAS GIVEN

The story of Elijah found in 1st Kings is a wonderful story of faith amidst the fear of the people of Israel (read 1st Kings 18:1-46). We see that the people of Israel had forsaken the Lord and turned their hearts to worship the Baals. In many ways, we see what was happening in this story is happening today. Many have turned their hearts away from the Lord to serve their own desires and worship the gods of this age.

The people were stuck in their sins. A crescendo has been reached and something needed to change. A breaking of the bondage was needed and it started with the word of the Lord. “Go and present yourself to Ahab, and I will send the rain upon the face of the earth (1st Kings 18:1).”

THE BREAKING

In the middle of this story, we see a great duel between Elijah and Ahab with the Baals and the true God of Israel (1st Kings 18:22-40). Against every effort, the Baals were silent. Furthermore, against every impossibility, the God of Israel showed up. The fullness of the sacrifice, the wood, the stones, the dust and the water were fully consumed by the fire of the Lord. This was “the breaking” needed to open the eyes of the people as they proclaimed, “The Lord, He is God!”

THE WORD PREVAILS AMIDST THE WAITING

That which was in the way was now broken and removed. Elijah climbs to the summit of Mt. Carmel and tells his servant to go look to the sea (1st Kings 18:42). The servant reports back saying that there is nothing, but Elijah sent him back to check again. The word was given that the rains would come, so Elijah waited for the manifestation of that word to come to pass. It took 7 times of sending and checking before anything looked remotely different. Yet, at this first sign of change, Elijah sends the servant to tell Ahab to prepare the chariots before the rain stops him.

I AM SENDING MY REFRESHING RAIN!

“For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants.” Isaiah 44:3 NIV

I hear the Lord saying to His people today. “You are crossing over into your next season, for that which was in the way has been broken and removed. This is a Kairos time and season. It is not coming, rather, it is now happening! Know this! You are leaving your former season and crossing over into your next season. I am sending My refreshing rain upon you to revive you, to strengthen you, and to wash away the weariness and harshness of the former season. Your faith has been strengthened! Like Elijah, you have waited. Like Elijah, you have endured, even though the battle felt so intense that you questioned if you could go any further. Lift your eyes and see that your season has indeed shifted! Though you have been tried by fire, you have come forth as pure gold…nothing missing and nothing broken! Rejoice, for you shall not die, but live!“

“I will not die but live, and will proclaim what the LORD has done.” Psalm 118:17 NIV

“I am bringing you forth out of obscurity! I am going to cause you to be a shining light to others; a beacon of hope and strength to many! Be assured. All that you have endured has not been in vain. I waste nothing! It is I who brings forth beauty from the ashes and restores that which you thought was beyond repair. Your faith has grown through the intensity of the former season. Truly, your intense season of testing is now yielding to you an intense season of blessing!“

“Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.” John 12:24 NIV

“Even as your life has been poured out to Me as an offering, I will use it all for My glory! Future generations will yield fruit because of your obedience and faithfulness to Me!”

“Know therefore that the LORD your God, He is God, the faithful God, who keeps His covenant and His faithfulness to a thousand generations for those who love Him and keep His commandments.” Deuteronomy 7:9 NASB

“Rejoice, precious ones! You have been found faithful and I am well pleased with you. I now send My refreshing rain!”, says the Lord of Hosts.

“I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.” Revelation 3:8 NIV