In First Kings Chapter 18 we read a slice of the Prophet Elijah’s story. Two significant things happen in this chapter. He confronts the false prophets of Baal (I Kings 18:1-40). It was the biblical version of the ‘OK Corral,’ (you may be too young to grasp this analogy…google it). Elijah and the prophets of Baal met to decide who was going to run this town? Baal? Or the true God of the Universe? Elijah wins this shootout.
The rest of this chapter illustrates Elijah praying for rain (1 Kings 18: 41-46). They have been in a three year drought (I Kings 1: 1). It was time to ask God to bring rain to the arid land.
Elijah beings to pray with expectation of having his prayer answered. He sends his servant to look out over the sea. The servant returns with the news, “I didn’t see anything” (I Kings 18:43).
Instead of being discouraged, Elijah sent the servant out again, and again. He sent him out seven times. And it was on the seventh time the servant returned and reported, “I saw a little cloud about the size of a man’s hand rising from the sea” (44).
There are several observations we can apply from this story.
Elijah went to prayer expecting an answer
The expectation of Elijah fueled his persistence in the continual sending out of his servant to look for rain. He expected rain and he wanted his servant to be persistent in looking for it
A small encouragement (a cloud the size of a man’s hand) can affirm your expectation
We need to be people with expectation. We need to be persistent in pursing what we expect. When persistently pursuing your expectations look for small encouragements to undergird you.