National Standards IV: Testimonies of the magnificent seven

They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed. Psalm 34:5

In championing a national revival, God had brought about a draught, disgraced Baal, and made a showpiece of Baal's prophets. And in all this, Baal had no worthy response. But God’s end game was to bring about revival in the inhabitants of Israel. And though the prayer of Elijah was felt at a national level, God was also working out this great revival work in the lives of various people. God needed men to herald a new era and he lighted the salvation candle in lives of ordinary people using them as evangelists for national transformation.

This is the tale of the magnificent 7 who God visited and used, hear ye their testimonies.

Obadiah

The first of the seven is Obadiah who hid 100 godly believers in groups of 50s (1 Kgs 18:13). Obadiah was a man in government, the governor of Ahab’s house. He had a beautiful career, but it was his faithfulness to God that is commendable. It’s evident that at the foundation of this national revival were faithful men like Obadiah and Elijah.

God is seeking faithful men who will either pray like Elijah or will use their influence or power to preserve God’s work and God’s people. May you be counted faithful

Widow of Zarephath

The widow of Zarephath (1 Kgs 17:10-15) will forever believe in the power of God as Jehovah Jireh (my provider). Her testimony has rung out for many generations with the claim that God provides for those who believe in him. In fact, 2 Chronicles 20:20b could be her song,

“.......Believe in the Lord your God; so shall ye be established. Believe His prophets; so shall ye prosper.”

It was her yielded-ness to the lord that led to her testimony.

God is looking for people who will yield totally to him. Yield their food, dreams, ambitions for his work. Are you such a person?

Food for thought: What impact will be seen in a state, county, region or country that yields to the will of the Lord? Selah!!!

The barren woman

This lady’s testimony (2 Kgs 4:8-37) is also clear evidence of 2 Chr. 20:20, only that this time it was channelled to Elisha instead of Elijah. First, it was the conception of a son through giving honour to Elisha and then her son was resurrected back to life by sheer faith. In both situations, she believed without doubt in Elisha as God’s servant. Her faith evidenced by her mantra of “It is well” is possibly one of the shortest declarations of faith.

If we will experience God’s revival, then we must be ready to declare, that “it is well with our souls” – even when we don’t feel well.

The indebted widow

This is a beautiful story of financial deliverance through prophetic intervention (2 Kgs 4:1-17). I have always wondered if world leaders (who lead countries in debt) can seek God’s face for deliverance and receive prophetic words that will lead to debt relief – how glorious that will be. Deut. 28:12, states,

“The Lord shall open unto thee his good treasure, the heaven to give the rain unto thy land in his season, and to bless all the work of thine hand: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, and thou shalt not borrow.”

Are you a God-seeker who is looking for God to help you clear personal, family, national and continental debts? Or are you seeking financial help for personal gain?

The servant boy

Though his story is very short, the servant of Elijah checked the clouds 7-times seeking to see a miracle each time. He obeyed six times without a result and still went the seventh time (1 Kgs 18:43-46).

I don’t think this servant boy was counting the number of times he obeyed the prophet, and even if he was, the specification of the bible is very clear with Jesus setting the example of 'how many times we must obey even if we don’t see immediate result' in Phil. 2:8,

“And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.”

God is seeking men and women who are ready to be like Jesus, obeying unto death. Does obeying unto death describe you?

Elisha

Elisha was a top business executive, possibly rich in cattle and animals. Like Gbile Akanni once said, “the morning of Elisha’s calling, he did not wake up expecting God to alter the plans of his life. Yet, God somehow rudely interrupted his life without notice”. Was God not thinking about the years Elisha had spent in the university or as an apprentice trying to learn and navigate his profession? It was a steep sacrifice to leave all and follow a man like Elijah who had no address.

But God eventually gave Elisha what I call the 'beautiful life'. Elisha was probably seeking greatness and it seemed if he had continued on his path as a businessman, greatness was inevitable; but God gave him immortality! Hahahaha!

By obeying God, Elisha had access to the King (2 Kgs 4:13), defeated a whole army (2 Kgs 6:14-23) and could even influence diplomatic processes (2 Kgs 6:8-13). Good Heavens! This is nothing comparable to being a an ordinary business man. If you seek God and allow him to interrupt your life, He will give you the 'beautiful life', then your testimony will be like Paul’s in Phil. 3:8,

“Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ”

A revived prophet

For 3.5 years, Elijah moved from the brook to the widow of Zarephath and then back to Ahab. He performed the exploits on Mount Camel....and then he became very tired, depressed and gassed out. Elijah’s words spelt his state,

“I have been very jealous for the Lord God of hosts; for the children of Israel have forsaken Thy covenant, thrown down Thine altars, and slain Thy prophets with the sword. And I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.” 1 Kgs 19:10.

Without marriage and a companion, God realised Elijah’s banter needed a solution and he gave him Elisha as companion, with Jehu and Hazael to follow later on. God restored Elijah's spiritual strength because Elijah spent time with God (1 Kgs 19:10-17).

God is still in the business of restoring our spiritual strength if we spend time with Him in the place of prayer. Elijah was alone with God and this separation with God led to his revival. Are you reserving time out of your busy schedule to be with God?

Well we know that this great move continued beyond these seven people because the school of prophets was eventually enacted and many others were raised by God. God wants to bring in a harvest and we must keep praying the prayer of Jesus,

“The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.”

Previously: Prophecies of restoration