These Are The Days Of Elijah

My seven year old son LOVES the song Days of Elijah!  He grabs the bulletin each Sunday before services start to see if his daddy chose it as part of the worship service and gets a little upset when we aren't singing it!  Here is is if you are not familiar with the song:


Part of the lyrics in the first verse says

"These are the days of great trials, Of famine and darkness and sword. Still we are the voice in the desert crying, prepare ye the way of the Lord!"

Many of us may think that "voice in the desert" must be the pastors and theologians, but R.T. Kendall in his recent book published by Chosen (a division of Baker Publishing Group) These Are The Days Of Elijah:  How God Uses Ordinary People To Do Extraordinary Things, helps us to understand that thinking as being far from the truth!
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House for the purpose of this review.  All opinions are my own and I've received no other compensation for this review.

"Jonathan Edwards taught us that the task of every generation is to discover in which direction the Sovereign Redeemer is moving then move in that direction.  Our ministry seeks to seek the honor of God in our day, pursuing only the glory that comes from Him as in John 5:44"

Dr. R.T. Kendall, a graduate of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and Oxford University (D.Phil.), was the senior minister of the historic Westminister Chapel in London for 25 years.  The author of numerous bestselling books, he conducts conferences all over the world.  He and his wife, Louise, live near Nashville, TN.

You would be blessed to visit his website found at www.rtkendallministries.com.

Drawn from a popular sermon series Dr. Kendall preached at Westminster Chapel in London, this discussion taken from 1 and 2 Kings traces the prophet's life and ministry from his first appearance and his confrontation with King Ahab until the time he is taken up to heaven. Kendall shows how even this revered prophet - an ordinary man with many imperfections - was used tremendously by God.

God used Elijah to accomplish great things.  He wants to use you too.  Elijah is marked as one of the greatest prophets of the Bible.  More than a gifted seer, he spoke directly for God, and with His authority.  Elijah is the only prophet to have called down fire from heaven, and one of only two individuals in Scripture taken to heaven before tasting death.  Yet this remarkable agent of the Lord was also very human, afflicted with the very same failings and fears you have.
This book explores the triumphs and contradictions of this powerful man of God.  You will love seeing how Elijah was like you - righteous but proud, strong but cowardly, blessed but tested by trial and doubt.  And you will take joy in realizing how God will use you, as He did Elijah, for His perfect glory.

My Thoughts About The Book:
I've read only one other book by Dr. Kendall besides this one and I have grown to love and appreciate his writing ministry.  Dr. Kendall's writing can be described as "in depth, but accessible".  He shares Elijah's story through the Scriptures adding his keen insight and practical application.  The information in the book is concisely organized and given beginning with Elijah's appearance in 1 Kings 17:1 and ending with his ascension to heaven in the whirlwind in 2 Kings 2.
Dr. Kendall's teaching is bold and uncompromising, but patient and thorough.  His desire for his reader to delight and fall in love with Elijah's God shines brightly through his faithful teaching.  He asks introspective questions of his readers desiring that they not merely gain more knowledge, but learn to live their lives for the glory of God - "ordinary people doing extraordinary things" by the power of God.
This book would be a perfect choice for a concentrated study through 1 and 2 Kings focusing on Elijah's ministry with a small group or for personal study.

You can order your copy of the book at Amazon.com by going HERE.

Blessings,
Jennifer