God told Elijah to tell King Ahab that it wasn’t going to rain for three years. After Elijah delivered his message, God told Elijah to go live by a brook.
No Rain – No Water – No Brooks
Put those two things together now. When it doesn’t rain there ceases to be water. When there ceases to be water there ceases to be brooks. Elijah’s preaching resulted in the drying up of his brook.
Elijah’s preaching did exactly what God said it would do. It accomplished everything it set out to accomplish. The result was not church growth, or riches or even water. It resulted in personal cost–thirst.
But God Had a Plan
Deliverance would come from a widow preparing to eat her last meal. It is often true that the best preachers, the ones who proclaim God’s truth, are ones who are rejected.
John the Baptist preached his head off. Christ preached His way onto a cross. John preached his way into prison. Paul was left alone, in prison and then beheaded.
Don’t be surprised when the world hates you. Nor be surprised when the “church” hates you, they’re often the same thing. You may be thirsty. You may suffer. But God vindicates His people and what a day it will be.
Written by: Jeff Weddle; he blogs at anti-itch meditation
2 Comments
Stu (Author)
It’s human nature to please others. Society has molded itself to try and not insult or say what is not liked… to be politically correct. The church more then ever needs godly leaders and preachers who will fearlessly teach the Word of God, not being afraid if they offend any political group out there. The church is being filled with people too concerned about being popular instead of being honouring to God. However as the blog says, when we fearlessly, obediently and faithfully teach the Word of God, we WILL be persecuted because people don’t like to hear the truth… it makes them feel condemned, convicted or self conscious. Unfortunately at this point if only those people turned to Christ, they would receive salvation and peace with God, with the absolute truth of God’s Word would set them free.
Don
Stuart, I think what we often lack is courage
Psalm 27:1 “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?”
Lord, give me the courage to say and do what is right in your eyes!