Chapter 80—Elijah’s Example
Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed
earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the
space of three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the
heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.
James 5:17, 18
.
When upon Mount Carmel he [Elijah] offered the prayer for rain (
1
Kings 18:41-45
), his faith was tested, but he persevered in making known
his request unto God. Six times he prayed earnestly, and yet there was no
sign that his petition was granted, but with a strong faith he urged his plea
to the throne of grace. Had he given up in discouragement at the sixth time,
his prayer would not have been answered, but he persevered till the answer
came. We have a God whose ear is not closed to our petitions; and if we
prove His Word, He will honor our faith. He wants us to have all our interests
interwoven with His interests, and then He can safely bless us; for we shall
not then take glory to self when the blessing is ours, but shall render all the
praise to God. God does not always answer our prayers the first time we
call upon Him; for should He do this, we might take it for granted that we
had a right to all the blessings and favors He bestowed upon us. Instead of
searching our hearts to see if any evil was entertained by us, any sin indulged,
we should become careless, and fail to recognize our dependence upon Him,
and our need of His help.
The servant watched while Elijah prayed. Six times he returned from the
watch, saying, There is nothing, no cloud, no sign of rain. But the prophet
did not give up in discouragement.... As he searched his heart, he seemed
to be less and less, both in his own estimation and in the sight of God....
And when he reached the point of renouncing self, while he clung to the
Saviour as his only strength and righteousness, the answer came. The servant
appeared, and said, “Behold, there ariseth a little cloud out of the sea, like a
man’s hand.”
Elijah did not wait for the heavens to gather blackness. In that small
cloud, he beheld by faith an abundance of rain; and he acted in harmony with
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