In Trouble?!?
James 4:13-20
James 5:13–20 (NIV): 13 Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. 14 Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. 16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.
17 Elijah was a human being, even as we are. 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.
19 My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring that person back, 20 remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins.
James’ refers to Elijah as an example, so it’s worth looking into this.
Elijah:
- Eli-jah- The LORD (Eli) is my God (Jah or Yah)
- A major prophet.
- Heard the voice of God directly.
- Expected the miraculous.
- Had received God’s direct care.
- Still struggled with fear and discouragement.
- Struggled with loneliness.
- God took him directly home, just like Moses.
Starting in I Kings 17 and all the way to II Kings chapter 2, Elijah is an important character. What was happening during this time in history?
- The northern Kingdom of Israel and King Ahab worships Baal. (Baal means lord)
- People of Israel are suffering. (The widow of Zarephath)
- 1 Kings 18:20–21 (NIV): 20 So Ahab sent word throughout all Israel and assembled the prophets on Mount Carmel. 21 Elijah went before the people and said, “How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him.” But the people said nothing. (No middle ground)
- Everybody in leadership always tried to kill him. Ahab and Jezebel at the beginning of Elijah becoming a prophet and the King that followed Ahab, Ahaziah.
- Obadiah worked for Ahab and was a close friend of Job was sent to find Elijah and finds him, only to be converted. (Obadiah- Obad- slave, iah or yah-of God) (Now go back and read Obadiah!)