July 21

James 5:17–18 (NIV84)
17 Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. 18 Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.

Elijah was a man who had moments of brilliance and moments of cowardice. He was like us – human through and through. The encouragement here is that we can do the same thing as Elijah!

First he prayed that it wouldn’t rain. He knew it was God’s will and He declared it to the King. Then 3 ½ years later he knew it was God’s will for it to rain and he declared it to the King. He then went to labor in prayer until he saw (his servant saw) the fruit of his prayer. He didn’t stop until the fruit was on it’s way – rain! Don’t stop short of declaring and praying in what God wants for your life, other’s lives and our church’s life! Don’t grow weary and you will see the crop!

When the rain came from heaven, the earth produced its crops. This is a great concept to grab – rain from HEAVEN produces crops (plural) on EARTH! There is no doubt that every good thing comes from heaven – right? Then let’s stop trying to get the rain from the earth! The rain comes from heaven – and that rain comes through prayer of faith. When the rain comes, earth changes – in many ways! The blessing falls from heaven and PRODUCES blessings on earth.