Today my focus is on James 5. "Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful and of tender mercy." (vs 11)
What do we do if someone is sick or afflicted? Call for the Elders and let them pray, anointing them with oil.
But I really appreciate the reference to Elijah and how his prayers brought rain. Commenting on these passages, Ellen White writes the following encouraging statements. These statements really inspire my faith:
"This [little cloud] was enough. Elijah did not wait for the heavens to gather blackness. In that small cloud he beheld by faith an abundance of rain; and he acted in harmony with his faith, sending his servant quickly to Ahab with the message, “Prepare thy chariot, and get thee down, that the rain stop thee not.”
It was because Elijah was a man of large faith that God could use him in this grave crisis in the history of Israel. As he prayed, his faith reached out and grasped the promises of Heaven, and he persevered in prayer until his petitions were answered. He did not wait for the full evidence that God had heard him, but was willing to venture all on the slightest token of divine favor. And yet what he was enabled to do under God, all may do in their sphere of activity in God’s service; for of the prophet from the mountains of Gilead it is written: “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.
Faith such as this is needed in the world today—faith that will lay hold on the promises of God’s word and refuse to let go until Heaven hears. Faith such as this connects us closely with Heaven, and brings us strength for coping with the powers of darkness. Through faith God’s children have “subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.” Hebrews 11:33, 34. And through faith we today are to reach the heights of God’s purpose for us. “If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.” Mark 9:23. (From Prophets and Kings, p. 156, 157)This is the faith we need today! Oh Lord, I believe, help thou my unbelief! Increase my faith!
[Wednesday Greetings from Iceland: Thanks so much to those of you that are praying! I've received over 70 (!) messages and notes of encouragement, via social media and e-mail, from friends that are praying for me and Iceland during this trip! What a blessing! And God has been answering those prayers. However, as I've traveled around the country here and visited with the people, I've recognized more and more the magnitude of the issues and needs here. There are serious needs in the church here, needs that no one can solve except God. But my prayer is that more people are being inspired to pray and seek for what only He can do, for the things that are impossible with men, ARE possible with God (Mark 10:27). Please continue to pray for the church in Iceland. I'm here 4 more days, then I return to the USA! But my hope is that the prayers don't stop. There's amazing potential for the church here...]
Tomorrow's Reading: Ezekiel 16-17 and Ps. 119:145-176
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