According to My Word

Scripture: 1 Kings 17:1; James 5:16–18

“As the LORD God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word.” — 1 Kings 17:1, KJV.

How could an ordinary man stand before a king and declare that there would be neither dew nor rain except according to his word? Elijah had no natural control over the heavens, yet his declaration affected an entire nation. Ahab occupied the throne, but his position could not overturn Elijah declaration.

“According to my word.” What gave Elijah the confidence to speak like that, and what made his words effective? James calls our attention to his prayer life: “he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not” (James 5:17). Behind the declaration recorded in First Kings was the earnest prayer revealed in James. If we desire the authority with which he spoke, we must take seriously the dependence from which he prayed.

We usually covet Elijah’s authority, but are we willing to give ourselves to earnest prayer? That question becomes urgent when we consider the world in which we live. Wickedness is bold. People abuse authority to deny others justice, exploit their vulnerability, and punish those who refuse to participate in wrongdoing. Some use their influence to obstruct opportunities, destroy reputations, or threaten people. The Scripture also speaks plainly of spiritual forces of wickedness and commands believers to stand against them.

In such a world, we cannot afford to know so much about the power of wickedness and so little about our authority in God. Threats have silenced some of us, opposition has driven us back, and repeated disappointments have taught us to live with what we once prayed against. How long will we allow what opposes us to determine how we live?

Elijah knew that Ahab was king, but he also knew that he belonged to the King of kings. He stood on that assurance and declared, “As the LORD God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand.” Ahab’s throne could not intimidate him into silence, for the God he represented possessed authority far above the king before him.

As we persevere in earnest prayer, we must also be ready to stand against what once silenced us. We belong to Christ, and in His name, we can resist evil, reject intimidation, and stand upon God’s word concerning our lives. The purpose we are seeking Him to fulfil must shape our response to the opposition before us. We cannot keep praying for strength to move forward while allowing fear to make every decision.

This brings us back to Elijah’s declaration: “according to my word.” He prayed earnestly, stood under God’s authority, and spoke with confidence in His backing. Let his example challenge how we face our own circumstances. Bring the opposition before God, receive direction from His word, and take the steps obedience requires, trusting His power beyond your natural ability.

Do not surrender your purpose to what opposes you. Seek God earnestly, and stand on His word with greater conviction than the threats that once made you retreat.

Prayer

Father, forgive me for becoming more conscious of the power opposing me than of Your power at work in me. Teach me to pray earnestly. Let wickedness neither silence my faith nor turn me away from my assignment. Let my prayers avail much, and let my words, spoken in agreement with Your will, produce results by Your power. In Jesus’ name, amen.