Another good example was that great prophet Elijah. Never was there a man that God used so boldly. Ater Jezebel and her husband Ahab had killed so many of the priests, Elijah told the four hundred and fifty men of Baal to build an alter, put meat on it, and ask their god to burn it. Well the Baal priests prayed, and cried and by afternoon Elijah was taunting them saying, "Maybe yur god is napping, or on vacation..." This made them rant and rave and take knives and cut themselves, but nothing happened. So Elijah built an alter and dug a big trench around it. Then he had them pour twelve barrels of water over the meat and the wood until water ran from the alter. Then he had them fill the trench with water. When Elijah called on God Almighty, well...

1Ki:18:38: Then the fire of the LORD fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench. 39: And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces: and they said, The LORD, he is the God; the LORD, he is the God.

Elijah didn't think he was somebody special. He had the same doubts and fears that every man has to deal with. It's human nature. So, don't tear yourself down because you aren't worthy to do God's Work. None of us are! But God deals with us and He'll help always. Just don't expect that since He is with you, your path will be rosy. Those hard times sharpen and strengthen you. They allow your human nature to experience God's devine nature and teach you how to rely on His presence through faith. Thre will never be a time that you won't emerge a better person than you thought you could be from your personal trials and tribulations. When you are at your weakest, you are really at your strongest, because that is when God picks you up and takes care of things for you.

Let's return to the New Testament forone final example. The Acts, Chapter 12, James has been killed by Herod and now they have taken Peter into prison in chains. They plan to make sport of him publicly the next day and the disciples have been gathered and praying diligently for Peter's safety as well as their own.

Ac:12:7: And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands. 8: And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And so he did. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me. 9: And he went out, and followed him; and wist not that it was true which was done by the angel; but thought he saw a vision.

Peter didn't know what was going on. Here was a man that had established a church, but he thought he was having a vision.

Ac:12:10: When they were past the first and the second ward, they came unto the iron gate that leadeth unto the city; which opened to them of his own accord: and they went out, and passed on through one street; and forthwith the angel departed from him.

The main gat of the city opened automatically for Peter. God will never leave now forsake you. Even though the angel departed, The Holy Spirit was sstill there protecting Peter.

Ac:12:11: And when Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know of a surety, that the Lord hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews. 12: And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying.

Peter thought about what had happened and what to do. God loves a thinker. One who will ponder and meditate on His Word. Here the disciples of our Lord Jesus were gathered having a prayer meeting. Did they believe God would leave them? Did they think He would forsake them? Did they believe that God would deliver Peter?

Ac:12:12: And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying. 13: And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel came to hearken, named Rhoda. 14: And when she knew Peter's voice, she opened not the gate for gladness, but ran in, and told how Peter stood before the gate. 15: And they said unto her, Thou art mad. But she constantly affirmed that it was even so. Then said they, It is his angel.

Think on this! They were praying, but when their prayer was answered and Peter stood at their door, they accused the girl of being crazy! They thought if anything, Peter was dead and his angel had stopped in. Aren't people funny? The point is you must put legs to your faith. When you pray and your faith is right, and you ae in the will of God - It will happen! God will never leave you, nor will He forsake you!

He is real, we are not "playing" church in this generation. When you pray don't ever doubt that your prayers are not heard. God may ot answer it your way, it may be His way instead. But you can bet it will be the best way. If yu are smart and really try to follow Him, you will always say, "Thank you Father." And you will always prosper for it. Our Father treats us just like we would treat our children, But His power and His love is so much greater.

AFor Those Who SeekA