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Emptied of Self, July 25
1 Kings 18:41-46
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. And he prayed again, and the heaven
gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.
James 5:17, 18
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Important lessons are presented to us in the experience of Elijah. When upon
Mt. Carmel he offered the prayer for rain, his faith was tested, but he persevered
in making known his request unto God.... Had he given up in discouragement at
the sixth time, his prayer would not have been answered, but he persevered till
the answer came. We have a God whose ear is not closed to our petitions; and if
we prove His word, He will honor our faith. He wants us to have all our interests
interwoven with His interests, and then He can safely bless us; for we shall not
then take glory to self when the blessing is ours, but shall render all the praise to
God. God does not always answer our prayers the first time we call upon Him;
for should He do this, we might take it for granted that we had a right to all the
blessings and favors He bestowed upon us. Instead of searching our hearts to see
if any evil was entertained by us, any sin indulged, we should become careless,
and fail to realize our dependence upon Him, and our need of His help.
Elijah humbled himself until he was in a condition where he would not take
the glory to himself. This is the condition upon which the Lord hears prayer,
for then we shall give the praise to Him. The custom of offering praise to men
is one that results in great evil. One praises another, and thus men are led to
feel that glory and honor belong to them. When you exalt man, you lay a snare
for his soul, and do just as Satan would have you.... God alone is worthy to be
glorified
As he [Elijah] searched his heart, he seemed to be less and less, both in his
own estimation and in the sight of God. It seemed to him that he was nothing,
and that God was everything; and when he reached the point of renouncing self,
while he clung to the Saviour as his only strength and righteousness, the answer
came
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46
The S.D.A. Bible Commentary 2:1034, 1035
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47
Ibid., 1035
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220