Power of the Lord

"The power of the Lord came upon Elijah and, tucking his cloak into his belt, he ran ahead of Ahab all the way to Jezreel."
1 Kings 18:46 

While I was driving the other day, I thought of this story. It's a very small statement about something that happened to the great prophet and man of God, Elijah. He had just had a showdown with the prophets of Baal. God did an amazing miracle, proving that he was the one true God. So the prophets of Baal were destroyed. It had not rained on the land for three and a half years. So afterward, Elijah began to pray for it to rain. Three times he prayed, three times he sent his servant to see if there were any clouds. Finally a cloud appeared and soon the land was bathed in cleansing rain. It is at this point that we find this little story about Elijah and the power of God. 
    On the surface, it doesn't look like much to talk about. But Bible historians tell us that the distance Elijah ran was probably about twenty eight miles. I don't know about you, but I would seriously need the power of the Lord to run twenty eight miles. Remember, in the days of the Old Testament, no one had the Holy Spirit living in them. Many times the Bible says "The Spirit of the Lord came on him," or other phrases like that. When needed, God strengthened the prophets, kings, and others to do his will. So Elijah, in the strength of the Lord, ran twenty eight miles and he did it fast enough to outrun king Ahab who was going to Jezreel as well. 
    I use this story to remind us that we have the power of the Holy Spirit in us. We might not be called to run a marathon for Jesus, but maybe we will. Whatever it is that God asks us to do, he will also empower us to accomplish it. This is why he has chosen to place his Spirit in us. We don't have to wait for the Spirit to come on us, we already have him in us. Therefore, we are already empowered to do what he is telling us to do. The only that stops us is our own unwillingness to follow through. If we believe the Holy Spirit has given something to do but we never launch out and do it, we have missed the point. If Elijah nad not run when he was supposed to, he never could have made the journey. So we must act when God speaks and empowers. 
    Today, this is a little reminder to us all. God lives in us. The Holy Spirit is in us to empower us to do the work of the ministry of Jesus Christ. So we too, have the power of God. We don't have to wait for it to come on us, we are assured that we already are equipped. Listen to the Holy Spirit. Some may call it "listening to your heart." Whatever you choose to call it, understand that you have the power of the Lord within you. Follow what he says. Who knows, you may run a long way, or just a few steps to speak or help someone in need. The same Holy Spirit who empowered Elijah to run, has empowered you to go. Go in the power of the Lord.