Foursquare Gospel Church in Nigeria Grace for Living Devotional Saturday September 2, 2023 TOPIC: SOUND OF ABUNDANCE OF RAIN

BIBLE READING:

1 KINGS 18:41-45

41 And Elijah said unto Ahab, Get thee up, eat and drink; for there is a sound of abundance of rain. 42 So Ahab went up to eat and to drink. And Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; and he cast himself down upon the earth, and put his face between his knees, 43 And said to his servant, Go up now, look toward the sea. And he went up, and looked, and said, There is nothing. And he said, Go again seven times. 44 And it came to pass at the seventh time, that he said, Behold, there ariseth a little cloud out of the sea, like a man's hand. And he said, Go up, say unto Ahab, Prepare thy chariot, and get thee down that the rain stop thee not. 45 And it came to pass in the mean while, that the heaven was black with clouds and wind, and there was a great rain. And Ahab rode, and went to Jezreel.  

KEY VERSE:

“And Elijah said to Ahab, “God eat and drink, for there is the sound of a heavy rain.”  1 Kings 18:41  

MEDITATION:

According to Elijah’s word, there was neither rain nor dew for three and half years in Israel (1 Kings 17:1). The resultant famine was so severe, yet, God continued to feed Elijah inexplicably courtesy of ravens and the poor widow!  

The period of famine humbled the wicked and arrogant King Ahab and his wife, Jezebel, yet they did not forsake their idolatry and wicked ways. When Elijah showed up at the appropriate time, the King was so helpless that instead of making Elijah pay for his ‘sins’ he needed him to reverse his word so the famine could cease! Elijah went on to demonstrate the supremacy of his God who answered by fire (1 Kings 18:20-24)! All the prophets of Baal were slaughtered. The stage was set for the abundance of rain, and the end of the three and half year of drought in Israel.  

After the humiliation of Baal and his prophets, Elijah went on to pronounce the sound of abundance of rain. And it did rain and the draught was over.  

Drought and absence of rain in a life could connote financial dryness, profitless labour, bareness, and many more. Rain on the other hand represents spiritual breakthrough, financial success, academic excellence, and more in an individual’s life. When we humble ourselves, seek the face of God and serve the true God that answers by fire, all these will be our portion without fishing in unprofitable waters.  

Can you also hear the sound of abundance of rain in your situation?  

PRAYER:

Oh Lord, send down abundance of rain into my life today.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:

PSALMS 102-103, 1 CORINTHIANS 7:25-40