Faith is produced as we trust God in the process, even when it feels like we are going backwards.
“A prayer of a righteous person, when it is brought about, can accomplish much. Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the earth for three years and six months. Then he prayed again, and the sky poured rain and the earth produced its fruit.”
(James 5:16b-18, NASB20)
“Now Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the settlers of Gilead, said to Ahab, “As the LORD, the God of Israel lives, before whom I stand, there shall certainly be neither dew nor rain during these years, except by my word.” Then the word of the LORD came to him, saying, “Go away from here and turn eastward, and hide yourself by the brook Cherith, which is east of the Jordan. And it shall be that you will drink from the brook, and I have commanded the ravens to provide food for you there.” So he went and did everything according to the word of the LORD, for he went and lived by the brook Cherith, which is east of the Jordan. And the ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning and bread and meat in the evening, and he would drink from the brook. But it happened after a while that the brook dried up, because there was no rain in the land.”
(1Kings 17:1-7, NASB20)
God provides in strange ways, so stop telling Him how you want to be blessed.
“Now Elijah said to Ahab, “Go up, eat and drink; for there is the sound of the roar of a heavy shower.” So Ahab went up to eat and drink. But Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; and he bent down to the earth and put his face between his knees. And he said to his servant, “Go up now, look toward the sea.” So he went up and looked, but he said, “There is nothing.” Yet Elijah said, “Go back” seven times. And when he returned the seventh time, he said, “Behold, a cloud as small as a person’s hand is coming up from the sea.” And Elijah said, “Go up, say to Ahab, ‘Harness your chariot horses and go down, so that the heavy shower does not stop you.’” Meanwhile the sky became dark with clouds and wind came up, and there was a heavy shower. And Ahab rode and went to Jezreel.”
(1Kings 18:41-45, NASB20)
Why did Elijah say “go celebrate because ‘there is the sound of heavy rushing rain'”?
Faith comes by hearing!
Hearing what?
The Word of God.
Why does God say we must hear first, before there is a change?
God is interested in the change in you, MORE than the change in your circumstance!
Why does God allow desperate and dry seasons?
You can not imitate true trust and dependency upon God.
Because God is a jealous God, He will cut off any source (stuff, relationships, etc) that becomes a substitute for godly substance.
Desperate people need a dependable God in uncertain times.
I will give you the treasures of darkness and the hoards in secret places, that you may know that it is I, the LORD, the God of Israel, who call you by your name.
Isaiah 45:3 ESV
Two enemies of faith:
- Invisible
- Insignificance
1. Invisible
And he said to his servant, “Go up now, look toward the sea.” And he went up and looked and said, “There is nothing.” And he said, “Go again,” seven times.
Kings 18:43
“Nothing is happening! I can’t see it!”
Faith> Even when we can’t see something, something is always happening!
The thing that is possible with God is NOTHING.
Faith starts with nothing!
When you see nothing- “Go again” 7 times!!
Hidden Truth:
If the enemy can’t discourage you from your persistency, Satan will attack your sense of worth.
2. Insignificance
And at the seventh time he said, “Behold, a little cloud like a man’s hand is rising from the sea.”
I Kings 18:44a
Faith sees the small stuff and celebrates!
Tension of faith:
Often when you feel your life is insignificant or too small to matter, you neglect to fulfill God’s purpose and abandon your assignment/
“And when he returned the seventh time, he said, “Behold, a cloud as small as a person’s hand is coming up from the sea.” And Elijah said, “Go up, say to Ahab, ‘Harness your chariot horses and go down, so that the heavy shower does not stop you.’” Meanwhile the sky became dark with clouds and wind came up, and there was a heavy shower. And Ahab rode and went to Jezreel. Then the hand of the LORD was on Elijah, and he belted his cloak around his waist and outran Ahab to Jezreel.”
(1Kings 18:44-46, NASB20)
Start saying this in your soul and with your lips:
Little is much in the hands of God.
Hitch up and go!!