IF YOU ARE attentive enough, you will know when God is about to move you forward—and when He wants to change the season of your life.
Esther knew that her people's fortune was about to change when she called for a fast. (Esther 4:16)
Eli understood that his time was up when Samuel woke him up three times the same night—and he said, "If you hear your name again, say speak Lord for your servant hears." (1 Samuel 3:9)
Nehemiah knew that it was time to move forward when he knelt before God and said—give your servant success today and grant him favour before this man. (Nehemiah 1:11)
You will need to know when God is about to change the season of your life—and pray. (Psalm 31:15)
The Narrative
ELIJAH HAD SERVED the Lord faithfully and lived a fearless life among his people who had turned to idolatry.
When Jezebel came after him, he ran for his life. He was physically tired and mentally exhausted.
"I have had enough, Lord. Take my life. I am not better than my ancestors," Elijah cried. (1 Kings 19:10)
And when the Lord appeared to him, he whined about being the only one left. But in His infinite grace, God restored him to Himself.
God told him to return and anoint Hazael as king of Aram, Jehu son of Nimshi over Israel, and Elisha to take his place. (1 Kings 19:15-16)
HOW DO YOU know when your season is about to change?
WHEN UNUSUAL THINGS begin to happen to you or around you, something is about to change.
Elijah left from there, and he found Elisha the son of Shaphat and threw his mantle on him.
This incident was unusual, and I bet no one prepared him for what to expect—but when the mantle fell on him, he ran after the prophet.
He willingly gave up everything to serve God—and did not give anything a second thought.
Elisha knew this was a season of unusual happenings, so when he returned to say goodbye, he slaughtered his oxen and burned his plowing equipment to cook the meat and gave it to the people, and they ate.
Then, he followed Elijah and became his servant. He understood that the place of elevation is where to serve.
ONE OF THE THINGS that happen in seasons like this is having the burden to pray.
The purpose isn't what you get from Him but who you become in His Presence.
Moses understood the importance of His Presence when he said, "If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here." (Exodus 33:15)
The fogginess over people's lives disappears when you pray.
Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months, it did not rain on the earth. (James 5:17)
Nehemiah prayed when he heard about the situation of Jerusalem and the plight of his people.
Whenever you experience an unusual urge in a place of prayer, God is about to do something.
He's about to change lives and lift burdens—God is about to change destinies.
When he puts a burden on you to intercede for other people, you'll be to them like a cover from the storm, a wall against the wind. (Isaiah 32:2)
A STRONG URGE to worship is an indication of a changing season.
The place of worship is the place of God's Presence. He inhabits the praises of His people. (Psalm 22:3)
When the people of Judah and Jerusalem worshipped, God set an ambush against their enemies. They fought one another and decimated themselves. (2 Chronicles 20:22)
WE ARE ALL unsettled when we transition from one season of life to the other. However, God determines the boundaries of eras.
Just before he went to the cross, being in agony, he (Jesus) prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling to the ground. (Luke 22:44)
FOR YEARS, Elisha served his master. And when Elijah was to go to heaven, he told Elisha to wait that the Lord had sent him to Bethel.
But Elisha said he would go with him. From there, he went to Jordan.
"Tell me, what can I do for you before I am taken from you?" "Let me inherit a double portion of your spirit," Elisha replied.
"You have asked a hard thing; yet, if you see me as I am being taken from you, it shall be so for you, but if you do not see me, it shall not be so." (2 Kings 2:9-10)
"There are three stages to every work of God; first it is impossible, then it is difficult, then, it is done"- Hudson Taylor.
Elisha's request fell into the three—and God made it possible.
BRINGING IT TOGETHER
WHENEVER YOU GO to God in prayer, remember that He has no obligation to bless anything that's not His.
And if God has not changed—your responsibilities to Him have not changed either.
Happy Thanksgiving!