From small things to victory

 "Then it came to pass the seventh time, that he said 'There is a cloud as small as a man's hand rising out of the sea'"  1 Kings 18:44  NKJV

Elijah had just had victory over the prophets of Baal adding further anger from Ahab and Jezebel. Elijah met with Ahab and told him to eat and drink because the drought was about to end. Ahab did this and Elijah went to the top of Mount Carmel and prayed that it may, once again rain. He sent his servant to go and look toward the sea for a weather check. There was no sign of rain. But Elijah persisted in prayer. Again and again he sent his servant to check but it was the same story - no rain. On the seventh time, the servant reported that there was a cloud as small as a man's hand, rising out of the sea. Excited, Elijah sent his servant to tell Ahab to to prepare his chariot and head off to safety before he was cut off by the rain. Elijah, gathered himself and also set off running and because the Lord was with him, he actually beat Ahab back home.

Just check this out; there was a small cloud rising from the sea but that was all the faith-filled Elijah needed. He knew there would be rain - lots of it. Remember, small acorns turn into great oak trees. Zechariah 4:10 says, 'For who has despised the day of small things.' Things may not be great at the moment but, don't give up, things will get better. Small is ok to start with but, faith turns it into big. Remember, Walt Disney began with a mouse, now look at that organisation. Do you get the idea? It would have been so easy for Elijah to give up after the first 3 or 4 attempts at prayer, but he persisted and received the reward. 

Amazingly, Elijah went into depression shortly after this adventure. Ahab had told Jezebel all about what had happened and she was seeking Elijah's life. Elijah ran away and ended up in the wilderness and sat under a broom tree. He prayed and asked God to take his life (1 Kings19:4-5). God sent His angel to touch him. He fed him and gave him water. Very soon after this, the LORD said to Elijah, 'What are you doing here, Elijah?' 19:9. Sometimes after a great time of ministry, we can become burnt out and, this can lead us to feel sorry for ourselves, like Elijah was here. We need God to speak to us in such a way, breathing proactive-ness into us with encouraging words. This worked for Elijah and he eventually went on his way.

There's a lesson to learn here, Listen to God not, your fears. Jezebel had inflicted great fear upon him because he had listen to this report sent by this evil woman. Don't listen to it. Decide there and then, whose report are you going to believe, God's or bad reports and the gossips of the world. Remember, God's word builds you up, Satan's doesn't.

If you don't know Jesus or, have fallen away, why not say this prayer right now:

'Lord Jesus, I have sinned and I ask you to forgive me and be my Lord and Saviour. Please come into my heart, fill me with Your Spirit and give me a brand new start today.

In Jesus' Name. Amen'

Copyright 2024 Grahame Howard.                                

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