Three weeks ago I attempted to preach on this text and ran out of time! So, we are visiting this great prayer passage again as we finish our focus on prayer. As I said in the sermon, this text is all about depending on God, trusting him in whatever circumstance we face. Do you face trouble? You are to pray. Are you happy? You are to sing songs of praise. Are you sick? Call the elders and go to God in prayer.
The text ends by pointing us to Elijah a human being just like we are. He “prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.” (James 5:17-18) Elijah so depended on God in the midst of difficulty that he petitioned God and God answered his prayers.
I find it interesting that of all the things that James could have said about Elijah – he was a man of action after all – he was a man who illustrates one of the main points of James’ book that faith without works is dead. He could have pointed to Elijah when he was making that point in chapter 2 – because Elijah demonstrated his faith again and again through his actions. But look what James highlights. He highlights not his social action, not his stand against heresy, not his political petitioning against an ungodly king – he points to Elijah’s dependence upon God in prayer. James highlights his reliance on God in the midst of a difficult situation, in the midst of a drought. He was a human being just like you and me – but he trusted God in prayer and awaited God’s intervention.
How do you respond to God when life comes crashing in on you? Do you give up your faith or do you go to God in dependent prayer? Elijah was a human being just like you. He faced trouble and went to God in prayer and God answered him in a mighty way. This is James’ point. There was nothing special about Elijah. You and I can go to God in prayer and know that as the prophet was answered so you and I will be answered.
May we be a people who trust God above all, Pastor Tom.