The Spirit of Elijah

​What does it mean to go before the Lord in the spirit and power of Elijah as was prophesied about John the Baptist?  John's father, Zechariah, declared, "And you, my little son, will be called the prophet of the Most High, because you will prepare the way for the Lord.  You will tell people how to find salvation through forgiveness of their sins." (Luke 1:76-77 - NLT) He certainly had an important call on his life!  I think that every Believer has the same call—that we should live our lives to "prepare the way for the Lord," in the spirit of Elijah.
 
We can read about Elijah's life in the Bible in 1 Kings 17 through 2 Kings 2.  Here are some of the highlights of his life:

• He spoke only God's message.
• He came to call people back to God and to demonstrate His power and sovereignty.
• He predicted the beginning and the end of a 3-year drought.
• He represented God against false prophets of Baal.
• He showed that God cares for the individual as well as the nation by providing daily necessities. (e.g. the widow of Zarephath)
• He cried out for the resurrection of the widow's dead son.
• He mentored his predecessor Elisha.
• He parted the River Jordan by striking the water with his cloak.
• He went to heaven in a chariot of fire

We may say, "How could I demonstrate the power of God in my life?"  And yet, Jesus told us this:  "I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing.  He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.  And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father." (John 14:12-13) There is nothing more beautiful or satisfying than sharing the love of Christ with someone!  Definitely, it is a faith builder.  Our faith will grow as we are able to demonstrate the power and love of God.
 
The prophet Malachi declared, "See, I will send you the prophet Elijah before that great and dreadful day of the Lord comes.  He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers..." (Malachi 4:5-6) The angel of the Lord repeated this prophecy to Zechariah to let him know that his son John would fulfill it. (Luke 1:15-17) And John's life is seen as a standard for all of us to follow.  Jesus said, "I tell you the truth:  Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.  From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it." (Matthew 11:11-12)
 
We are in the season of celebrating the break-in of heaven to earth.  Jesus came to earth as a seed in his mother's womb.  As that seed grew, John the Baptist would prepare the way for Him.  Time would show that Jesus is the Lord of the breakthrough.  He demonstrated the power and love of His Father in heaven.  Many around us are celebrating Christmas but may not comprehend its true meaning.  We are those who can and should prepare the way of the Lord through a ministry of power and love that fosters reconciliation between family members and friends.  The anointing is upon us:  "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because He has anointed me to preach good news to the poor.  He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." (Luke 4:18-19) These promises from the Word of God may challenge us, but let us not bring the truth of the Word down to our level of experience.  Ask Holy Spirit to bring our experience up to the truth of the Word.  Let's claim these promises over our lives and launch out into a lifestyle to "prepare the way of the Lord."