FAITH CAPSULE: Powerless congregation will not prevail.

1Kings 18:20-46, 19:1-3
 
Elijah had demonstrated the power of God by overcoming the Prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel. Elijah made a public show of their powerless god. He embarrassed them when they could not call their god to life. Elijah had the prophets of Baal assembled on Mount Carmel, he requested for all that it takes for sacrificial burnt offering. The Bible recorded Elijah’s command, “…you call on the name of your gods, and I will call on the name of the Lord; and the God who answers by fire, He is God. So all the people answered and said, “It is well spoken.” (1 Kings 18: 24-25) The god of the prophets could not show up. Elijah mocked and ridiculed them before he called on His God for the show of power. The God of Elijah answered by fire. Having embarrassed the four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal, Elijah caused them to be overtaken and executed at the Brook of Kishon. All of Elijah’s exploits were the effect of God’s intervention because Elijah stood for righteousness. What do you stand for? Is your congregation gathering in the name of the God of Elijah? Is it operating the power of the God of Elijah or the power of the god of the prophets? Powerless congregation will not prevail and it heads in the way of destruction just like prophets of Baal. After the prophets of Baal demonstrated lack of power, Elijah had them rounded up and they were all executed   .
Jezebel, the wife of King Ahab heard what Elijah did to the prophets of Baal, she threatened to kill Elijah. Elijah ran for his life. It is written in 1Kings 19:3, “And when he saw that, he arose and ran for his life, and went to Beersheba, which belongs to Judah, and left his servant there.” One would have expected Elijah to continue to walk in the power of God. Despite the power of God in the life of Elijah, he did not walk; he ran. Have you been running where you should be walking? This same Elijah had experienced the hand of God earlier when he was to be walking; the hand of God came upon him and put him ahead in 1Kings 18:46, “Then the hand of the LORD came upon Elijah; and he girded up his loins and ran ahead of Ahab to the entrance of Jezebel.” God is a consistent God and He will not leave you nor forsake you. Despite the power of God in Elijah’s life he knew not to give enemy the chance of upper hand over his life.
 
Prayer for today: Ask for the miracle hand of God to come upon you and gird up your loins to run ahead on every ground of enemy`s trap.