"Is anyone among you suffering? Let HIM pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let HIM sing psalms. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let THEM pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will lift him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much." (James 5:13-16)
Notice that James did not direct those who were suffering or cheerful to call for the elders of the church. They were/are the elders of the church.
"Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy." (1 Peter 4:12,13)
"Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. Then he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit." (James 5:17,18)
Elijah had to understand that his prayer would cause great difficulty for those of that land. They would suffer from the drought. Those circumstances also would give those the opportunity to turn to God. The prayer of Elijah gave those the opportunity to repent toward and trust God, THEN heaven gave rain, and the earth produced fruit.
No comments:
Post a Comment