Power change hand

The Bible Calendar for 26th September 2024.

1 Kings 18

Jeremiah  46 & 47

Hebrews  1

POINTS:

1. Bring Down the Fire of God

2. Power Changes Hands

3. Jesus the everlasting God

1. BRING DOWN THE FIRE OF GOD

Many things have happened in the past that seem to many of us as fiction or fabricated stories because such experiences are not seen today. Does it mean God is far from His people this day to the extent that those who believe in God cannot bring down the fire of God like Elijah of old? Christians experience the same as the people of the world; many are abducted, many are kidnapped, many are killed, and many are relegated and none can stand like Elijah to bring down the fire of God. Elijah challenged the prophets of Baal to prove the powerfulness of their gods, he asked them to bring fire down on their sacrifice without the initializing natural fire. In the end, the four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal could not bring down the fire. Likewise, we need to put the enemies of the gospel to constraint with our firebrand prayers. Baal could not bring down the fire from morning till evening, no voice and no answer because he was not a living God. But Elijah said, come closer here, and he placed the sacrifice in order and told them to fill the sacrifice with water so that they may not doubt any dubious acts, and he called the God of Israel, and He answered by fire, and the fire consumed the sacrifice, licked the water and consumed the stones. This scenario has no other version of it in Biblical history, and when we call on God He will bring down His glory according to our speculation. Elijah was a peculiar prophet who did unusual things; he said there should be no rain for three and a half years, according to his words; he was fed by ravens for some periods, and here he brought down the fire. We can also do uncommon things if we pray uncommon prayers.

2. POWER CHANGES HANDS

The people on earth should know that nothing remains permanent except those things done by God. What an irony to prophesy that the Babylonian king called Nebuchadnezzar would subdue Egypt, Ethiopia, and many other powerful nations. This made the prophecy of Jeremiah complex to his recipients, for it may have been understood as the fact that the Israelites sinned against God and were due for punishment, but why should God decide to change the power from the powerful ones to send it to the weaker people? God is the owner of the power; He gives it to anyone He pleases; that is why we should be careful with whatever power is given to us in the state or church. Some will use power as if it will not finish, but if it has not finished with some people I wonder how it would have reached them. Let us use the power given to us with the fear of God and help people to go up so they will not forget us when we decline because it is certain that power will change hands.

3. JESUS THE EVERLASTING GOD

The writer of the Epistle to Hebrews strongly shows the unsearchable equalness of Jesus with God even in creation, as he placed Him higher than the angels. He said all the words spoken were through him. Indeed I am still surprised by those that God commanded “Let there be” and only the next report is “And it was” and “Let us make man in our image,” and I know it could not have been the angel, if it were, Satan having fallen would have been able to succeed in his plan against God. Christ was not newly given the name above all other names after resurrection, but he received back His glory that He left in heaven and He sits in the right hand of power. Through Him, our worship is acceptable, and our salvation is secured; we only need to know Him and the power of His resurrection so that we may live in Him and enjoy His relationship. The power to know Him more will be given to us all in Jesus’ name. He is the Alpha and Omega. Only He cannot change; his power and position remain, and His words remain unchanged even when the heavens and the earth shall pass away. Therefore, believing in his promises, He shall come to take us to the place prepared for us; let not your salvation slip from you; we will not miss His coming in Jesus’ name.

Pastor M. O. Shodipe

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