LEARNING DAILY

 

James 5:17, Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, (NKJV)

 

1 Corinthians 10:11, All these events happened to them [Old Testament prophets] as examples to us.  They were written down to warn us, who live at the time when this age is drawing to a close. (NLT)

 

I have just finished reading and studying the book of Isaiah and am beginning to read and study the book of Jeremiah.  I have had to do so with the aid of study Bibles to understand the message written by these prophets of God.  I have always been fascinated with those God to bring His prophetic message to His people. What kind of men were they and why did God use them specifically? Were these prophets of God some sort of super beings that had a super power that we do not have? I do not believe so.  The Bible tells us they were just like us.

 

One of the interesting aspects of these men were their prayer life.  Read the verses in James that surround verse 17.  James is talking about the prayer life of righteous men; Elijah was the example James used.  “Elijah was a man who believed his prayers to God would accomplish much, even to the point of God’s intervention in the course of nature” (LSSB). James 5:16 shows the belief Elijah must have had, “The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much” (NKJV).  The prayers of the righteous draw them near to God and brings power as they walk the narrow way.  It is prayer that is effective because it gives insight into Christ’s provision for them, gives insight and clarity into God’s will for them, and brings them knowledge and wisdom (that Proverbs tells us to get) of Christ.  This type of prayer enables us to pray for the sick and those who need God’s healing.  It helps us to pray giving praise and thanksgiving to God for all things. 

 

Something else I have noticed about the Old Testament prophets is their knowledge of Scripture.  For example, Daniel knew from prophecy (written in Scripture) that the Jewish people would be in captivity for seventy years.  Near the end of that time he began to pray for what God was going to do with them. Ezra was another prophet who was diligent in searching the Scriptures; in doing so he was preparing his heart for the work He chose for him.  The study of Scripture produced the character that pleased God and because of that He used them to accomplish His purposes.  The diligent study of God’s Word continues to do that for each of us.

 

Perhaps we cannot relate to these prophets today regarding what they went through as they served God. But the warnings issued by these prophets continue to be a warning to us today!  God’s judgment on the disobedient Israelites is certainly a warning for us today to not chase after evil things.  If we repeat (or continue to repeat) the unfaithfulness that Israel lived, we are going to receive God’s judgment and fail to enter God’s kingdom.  The need to walk on the narrow way to God’s kingdom is so important; we cannot get distracted by the evil disguised! Israel thought they could play around with sin and idolatry and immorality without consequence. Those today who believe they can live securely without turning away from unrighteous conduct and worldly living should take notice of God’s warning through the prophets regarding His chosen people.

 

I am thankful that God is faithful in assuring Christians that no true Believer need to fall into sin because of temptation.  That’s a really important promise to take hold of as we live in these days!

 

From now on DJSB will be used to note information or quotes from the David Jeremiah Study Bible and LSSB will refer to information and quotes from the Life in the Spirit Study Bible.  I have added Jimmy Swaggart’s Expositor’s Study Bible to be referred to from now on as JSESB