Elijah and Revival
A Biblical picture of Revival, 700 years before Pentecost
“For I will pour water on him who is thirsty, and floods on the dry ground; I will pour My Spirit on your descendants, and My blessing on your offspring;” Isaiah 44:3.
It’s funny how we remember verses, even passages, of scripture yet we read them for the hundredth time and a new revelation leaps off the page at us!
So it was with this verse this morning.
I’ve seen, even quoted this verse often enough, yet this morning, The LORD spoke as clearly as I’ve ever heard Him speak to me — “Welcome to My definition of Revival!”
This seems to be the follow up to 2 Chronicles which says,
“When I shut up heaven and there is no rain, or command the locusts to devour the land, or send pestilence among My people, if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:13-14.
“For I will pour water on him who is thirsty, and floods on the dry ground; I will pour My Spirit on your descendants, and My blessing on your offspring;” Isaiah 44:3.
Why have I never put these two together before?
When The LORD closes Heaven — if My people — seek My face — I will heal their land. I WILL — pour water on the thirsty — flood the dry land — pour My Spirit and My blessing on your descendants and offspring!
This puts 1 Kings 17 & 18 in a whole new context.
The LORD says to Elijah, “My people are so stubborn, so full of their own importance, full of sin and worshipping Baal and Asherah — I think a wee drought will do them good — bring their focus back on me. Prophesy a drought for me. Let them know I’ve had enough of their shenanigans!”
Elijah did exactly that.
“And Elijah the Tishbite, of the inhabitants of Gilead, said to Ahab, “As The LORD God of Israel lives, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, except at my word.”” 1 Kings 17:1.
Then The LORD told Elijah to make himself scarce as he’d probably annoyed King Ahab even more than normal.
And there was a drought!
Not a drop for over three years!
Ahab searched high and low for Elijah —couldn’t find him.
The country was on the verge of disaster and Ahab sent search parties all over Israel to find Elijah.
Not a sign of him!
In the mean time, some would say, in a couple of sub-plots, Elijah helped out the widow of Zarephath and one of Elijah’s young prophets called Obadiah helped a number of other young prophets whom he hid in caves and fed to keep them alive.
Then one fine morning, Elijah pops up in front of Obadiah and tells him to find Ahab and announce that Elijah would meet Ahab!
“Are you kidding me? If you don’t come, then Ahab will kill me!”
Elijah prevailed — Obadiah told Ahab.
Elijah met with Ahab and set up the meeting on Mount Carmel, with 850 evil prophets and before all the people of Israel.
Elijah routed the false prophets.
He called upon God to show His power.
God did.
Israel repented and turned to God.
Elijah then destroyed the false prophets — (his arm must have been tired — 850 with the jawbone of an ass)!
And it rained in torrents!
Is this not a picture of Old Testament Revival?
“When I shut up heaven . . .
“When there’s no rain . . .
“If My People . . .
“Then I will . . .
“Send cleansing, healing rain!”
“For I will pour water on him who is thirsty, and floods on the dry ground; I will pour My Spirit on your descendants, and My blessing on your offspring;” Isaiah 44:3.
Now get under cover — Revival is coming again today!
Amazing what reading our Bible can do, isn’t it?
January 2025 — in amazement once again!
Image: ©pelicanartgallery.com
~ Chris G. Bennett
Chris Bennett came to salvation in 1962 but didn’t begin ministry until 2007 — a late-comer! Now mandated by The LORD to prophesy and open old wells of revival in the U.K., but especially in Wales. He has also operated Healing Rooms, and worked with deliverance teams, all with his wife, Linda. Happily now doing whatever The LORD asks of them! Founder, with wife Linda, of their ministry The Upper Room Encounter.
Ameen, amazing indeed. On the same page as you brother. Glory to God and thanks for confirming the word of the Lord over and over – REVIVAL
Absolutely amazing my brother! Thank you for sharing with us.
Yes Lord Pour out your Spirit and blessings on us and our offsprings! Let us humble ourselves and pray…Let the world see that we need Jesus!
It was Samson not Elijah who used the Jawbone of an ass to destroy his enemies. Small point but it is the small things that matter.
Judges 15:16. The text only says that Elijah had the people take them down to the brook Kishon and there Elijah slew them. 1Kings 18.14
AWESOME! PRAISE GOD! ALL HAIL KING JESUS!!! AMEN!