God’s Power Changes a Nation

“And when all the people saw it, they fell face down on the ground and cried out, “The Lord—he is God! Yes, the Lord is God!”

1 Kings 18:39

In the past couple of weeks, our nation has undergone a lot of turmoil and uncertainty. Yet, this isn’t new at all. The Old Testament is a treasure trove of awe-inspiring, and at times confusing, stories of God’s power, faithfulness, and miracles on behalf of the nation of Israel. The life of Elijah is no exception – he witnessed some crazy miracles and God used his willingness to demonstrate mighty and miraculous power. We still serve that same God. God is capable of doing the impossible.

The passage in 1st Kings has such a stirring reminder for America today. Elijah was one of the only prophets in Israel. (Even today, in America, it can often feel like we’re vastly outnumbered too!) And he was opposed by the culture and governmental structures of the day. In spite of this, he challenged the prophets of Baal (think: our culture, media, and the powerful forces stirring our nation, not acting in concert with God) to light the altar to their god on fire. The entire country witnessed a showdown of epic proportions. Elijah decided to make things more interesting (and clearly more difficult) when he ordered water be poured on the altar of God. God showed up in a miraculous way, igniting the altar that was soaking in water, while the prophets of Baal continued to wait for their god to show up. As you guessed, today they would still be waiting while God’s glory was on full display for a nation.

For many of us (myself included!) we have cried out on behalf of our nation, that God’s will be done. Yet, for many of us we wonder about the current status of our elections. Was this God’s resolution? Can something still be done? The media will continue to remind us that decision was done, made, move on. But the seeming election result that came that Wednesday morning felt like “the rain” on the alter, making whatever God was doing in this country even more impossible. We see and observe in natural, or with our own eyes - these polls, the media, the election results. But that’s only part of the story, the question will always be first, “God, what do you have to say?” What are you doing in this nation? With this election? Though it may feel like on I’m on an island, there are many of us asking God, what are you doing in the midst of this craziness? It requires the same bold, crazy, defies the face of logic – faith that God has NOT said it’s over. Until that time, we can boldly go before God and intercede for our nation and that God’s glory will be on full display through the miraculous. Whether it’s for an unexpected election outcome, a revival, or any other mass display of His power from above. We can pray, agree with God’s plan, and know that God does show up in the miraculous for His people. It just takes the one with faith. While I can’t imagine the outright daring faith of Elijah for all the things he saw in his lifetime, I can at least resolve to continue to pray and know that if God can do it once, He can certainly do it again!

Reflection Questions:

Lord, how would you have me pray for this election?

Lord, give me discernment for what is taking place in this nation.

Father, we surrender this nation to you.

We declare that your will be done in the United States.

We declare that your kingdom come.

Lord, we ask that you expose any fraud, any deception. We pray that you would send heavenly forces to oppose anything that comes against your plans for this nation.

Show us how to partner with you as you revive America.

We welcome your glory to be displayed in a mighty way.

Amen.