“Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months” (James 5:17 KJV).
While we tend to think that the men and women in the Bible were perfect individuals, the scriptures clearly demonstrate that they were not.
In fact, James 5:17 tells us that the prophet Elijah (Elais) was a man just like us. Not only so, but so were Peter, Paul, Thomas, and all the others. All these men were men who had human frailties. They demonstrated that it is not the perfection of a man that causes us to triumph, but it is the power of God.
Elijah was, in the natural, a very rough, course, and profane type of man. It was he who called upon God before the prophets of Baal, and fire came down from heaven and consumed the sacrifice.
However, that same man ran when Jezebel sent him a note saying that she was going to have him killed. He sat under a tree and begged God to kill him because there was nobody left to serve Him, so Elijah thought. He had a pity party, the same man that the day before called down fire from heaven.
Now Elijah, even though he had his problems, prayed earnestly that it would not rain. This man was serious about his praying. And it did not rain for three and a half years.
Someone may say, “Yes, but that is the prophet Elijah.” Yes, that is Elijah, a man subject to human frailties just like us. The Holy Spirit upon him is what makes him a prophet.
A person is only standing in their ministerial office with effectiveness because the Holy Spirit is on them, empowering them. He was still a human being in the earth with authority.
Paul had problems. He was argumentative and was often found fighting with people. He was hard headed. Then there’s Peter. Peter seemed to always put his foot in his mouth. And we all know Thomas’ doubting problem. He doubted everything.
You can go on down and list each one of these guys and find that they had faults like you and me. That being said, you don’t have to be a perfect individual before God will move in your life. Isn’t that good news? He wants what is in your heart.
God gave authority in the earth to man. You received that authority when you were born again; and you do not have to get rid of all the imperfections in your life before you activate that authority.
When you ask, God moves. So ask God and see that He will answer your every prayer.
Scripture References: Genesis 1:26; Philippians 2:5-11
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Keith Butler has been an ordained minister since 1974. He is a graduate of the University of Michigan and holds diplomas from Canada Christian College and Rhema Bible Training Center.
He serves in ministry with the support of his lovely wife, Pastor Deborah L. Butler, and their children: Pastor Andre Butler (granddaughters Alexis, Angela, and April), Pastor MiChelle Ferguson and husband Pastor Lee (grandson Lucas), and Minister Kristina Jenkins and husband Pastor Joel (grandsons Andrew and Austin, and granddaughter Alyssa).