Elijah prophesied that three-and-a-half years of drought would soon end, although there was not a cloud in the sky (1 Kgs 18:41). He told his servant seven times to look for a cloud. "Seven" probably refers to an indefinite number of times. Time after time, the servant reported: "There is nothing" (1 Kgs 18:43). Finally, the servant sighted a very small cloud which presented little possibility of rain. However, immediately "the sky grew dark with clouds and wind, and a heavy rain fell" (1 Kgs 18:45). This pattern is very common in our life with the Lord. Like Elijah and his servant, we watch and pray, and pray and watch, but see nothing again and again. We wonder if God is even there. We think: "Why pray?" Finally, we see something which is so small it isn't much different than nothing. Nevertheless, the Lord amazes us again by using a little something to make a big difference. Where in your life are you praying for something and seeing nothing? Persevere; a small cloud is rising in the west. |