I love how verse 22 starts out with the words “then the LORD heard the voice of Elijah.” “Then…” “Then….” “Then…” I wonder what would have happened if Elijah had lost heart after the first and the second prayers and just stopped praying. Well, I know the widow would not have wanted to know what could have happened. Elijah kept praying and finally the LORD heard him and answered him. GLORY BE TO GOD!!! Let’s pray, and continue to pray!
Let’s look at the words of the widow to Elijah in verse 24. She says to Elijah, “Now by this I know that you are a man of GOD, and that the word of the LORD in your mouth is the truth.” Wow!
Honestly, I believe that anything GOD does to, through, or for us is for the statement that the widow made. I believe that if GOD is going to use me it is not to promote me to receive the praise of man; it would not be just to make my life comfortable; if GOD is going to use me it will be so that people will know that the word of the LORD in my mouth is truth. If GOD is going to use you, this will be why HE uses you.
This is it, people. This is what life boils down to. People are not Christians because they don’t believe the word of the LORD. They don’t believe they are sinners who have offended a pure, holy, and righteous GOD. They don’t believe that JESUS was a real man. They don’t believe that JESUS was the son of GOD. They don’t believe that HE came and lived sinlessly. They don’t believe that HE was crucified on a cross. They don’t believe that GOD raised HIM from the dead. They don’t believe that JESUS is the way, the truth, and the life. They don’t believe that HELL is real. They don’t believe that JESUS is coming back. They don’t believe that there will be a judgment. They don’t believe that eternity in Heaven with an eternal, loving GOD is something that can be grasped. They don’t believe.
So, if you are in CHRIST, pray that GOD uses you so that people will know that HIS word is truth. Remember when GOD told Elijah to leave the brook? I believe this is what GOD had in mind the whole time. GOD allowed the brook to dry up so that this woman could know HIM, HIS power, and the truth of HIS Word. When you know that HIS word is truth, well, your life will change.
Furthermore, GOD using you does not mean that HE has to use you to raise someone from the dead physically, but GOD can put words in a willing mouth and use you to raise someone from the dead spiritually. Also, a person seeing you raised from the dead, and seeing you really live, well, it does wonders just like the widow who saw her son raised from the dead.
Grace & Peace!
