Day 6: Spirit-Empowered for the Impossible

Someone once said, “Faith sees the invisible, faith hears the inaudible, faith does the impossible.” But what pathway does faith travel to see the impossible realized? In 1 Kings 17, the nation of Israel is no longer experiencing the blessing of God in their lives and on their land. The people have followed their King, Ahab, into paganism and idolatry. But, during their rebellion, God sent a prophet named Elijah to King Ahab. 1 Kings 17:1 says, “Now Elijah the Tishbite, of Tishbe in Gilead, said to Ahab, “As the Lord, the God of Israel, lives, before whom I stand, there shall be neither dew nor rain these years, except by my word.” And for three and a half years it didn’t rain a drop. Finally, Elijah presents himself to King Ahab and challenges him and his fake prophets to a showdown to prove that there is one true God. After God demonstrates His power by sending fire down from heaven, there is national repentance, and Elijah tells King Ahab that the miracle of no rain is about to become a miracle of rain. After three and a half years of no rain, it seemed impossible that rain would ever fall again. So, what did Elijah do? What path did his faith take him? In 1 Kings 18:42, we read, “So Ahab went up to eat and to drink. And Elijah went up to the top of Mount Carmel. And he bowed himself down on the earth and put his face between his knees.”

It seems clear that Elijah knows God’s will but also recognizes the necessity of praying God’s will into existence. He does that by fasting. Notice that he sends Ahab to eat and drink, but he climbs Mount Carmel to pray. Verse 45 says, “And in a little while the heavens grew black with clouds and wind, and there was a great rain. And Ahab rose and went to Jezreel.” This story reminds us that simply knowing God’s will is not enough. God desires that we would pray His will into existence in our lives. Whether you believe in God to do the impossible in your life, marriage, family, or job, fasting and prayer is often the God-ordained pathway that faith travels to put your miracle in motion.

Our prayer target for today is for perseverance. Before God breaks through, sometimes, He is looking for a people to press through. What will you do?