READ: 1 KINGS 18:41-44
After the 450 prophets
of Baal were executed, Elijah asked Ahab to begin to celebrate because he had
heard the sound of abundant rain. King Ahab believed him and complied
immediately. Thereafter, Elijah went up to the mountain to pray. He kept praying
until he got his answers. Why pray after prophesying that it would rain? It is
because you need to surround every good thing with prayers.
To bring down fire from heaven, Elijah prayed one simple prayer. To bring down rain, he prayed seven times. Why? From this we learn that you must not share your testimony until it is complete. When he called down fire, he did not announce it first. He only called for competition. But he announced the sound of rain a little too soon, and the devil showed up to say that he has not resigned from being the prince of the dark kingdom.
“He that keeps his mouth keeps his life. But he that opens wide his lips shall have destruction” (Proverbs 13:3).
Announcing a half-cooked miracle; is an invitation to powers of darkness to contest and terminate it. Joseph could have kept his big mouth shut. He could have kept his dream to himself and quietly sought God’s face on it. He would have been spared the agonies of envy and God would have fulfilled his dream through some other means. Keep your mouth shut. Many Christians have provoked unnecessary battles and even lost some miracles out of heralding a fledgling miracle. Do not tell anyone you have bought a car until you have the keys. Do not tell anyone you have been awarded a contract until you have signed the contract. Not all who claim to be your friends are truly so. Isaiah 30:15 says your strength is retained in quietness but lost through careless talking.
We also learn here than when a man of God has spoken what God said, sometimes it may appear God did not speak. This might seem as if the prophet had lied. The good news here is that once God has spoken, it will surely come to pass. Another lesson is that Satan can delay but not prevent your miracle. Psalm 119:89 says that God will do whatever He will do no matter how wide you open your mouth. However, this requires prayers and patience. God’s word is settled in Heaven!
To bring down fire from heaven, Elijah prayed one simple prayer. To bring down rain, he prayed seven times. Why? From this we learn that you must not share your testimony until it is complete. When he called down fire, he did not announce it first. He only called for competition. But he announced the sound of rain a little too soon, and the devil showed up to say that he has not resigned from being the prince of the dark kingdom.
“He that keeps his mouth keeps his life. But he that opens wide his lips shall have destruction” (Proverbs 13:3).
Announcing a half-cooked miracle; is an invitation to powers of darkness to contest and terminate it. Joseph could have kept his big mouth shut. He could have kept his dream to himself and quietly sought God’s face on it. He would have been spared the agonies of envy and God would have fulfilled his dream through some other means. Keep your mouth shut. Many Christians have provoked unnecessary battles and even lost some miracles out of heralding a fledgling miracle. Do not tell anyone you have bought a car until you have the keys. Do not tell anyone you have been awarded a contract until you have signed the contract. Not all who claim to be your friends are truly so. Isaiah 30:15 says your strength is retained in quietness but lost through careless talking.
We also learn here than when a man of God has spoken what God said, sometimes it may appear God did not speak. This might seem as if the prophet had lied. The good news here is that once God has spoken, it will surely come to pass. Another lesson is that Satan can delay but not prevent your miracle. Psalm 119:89 says that God will do whatever He will do no matter how wide you open your mouth. However, this requires prayers and patience. God’s word is settled in Heaven!
MEMORIZE:
PROVERBS 13:3 –He that keeps his mouth keeps his life. But he that opens wide
his lips shall have destruction.
