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The Prophet Loses Faith and Panics
This chapter is based on 1 Kings 18:41-46; 19:1-8.
With the prophets of Baal killed, the way was opened for a
mighty spiritual reformation. The judgments of Heaven had been
executed. The people had confessed their sins and acknowledged
the God of their fathers. Now the curse was to be withdrawn and the
land refreshed with rain. “Go up, eat and drink,” Elijah said to Ahab,
“for there is the sound of abundance of rain.” Then the prophet went
to the top of the mountain to pray.
He saw no clouds in the heavens; he heard no thunder. All that
day he had revealed his complete confidence in God’s word, and
now he knew that Heaven would bestow the blessings predicted.
The same God who had sent the drought had promised rain as the
reward of rightdoing. In humility, Elijah pleaded with God in behalf
of repentant Israel.
Again and again he sent his servant to a point overlooking the
Mediterranean, to see whether there was any visible evidence that
God had heard his prayer. Each time the servant returned with
the word, “There is nothing.” The prophet did not lose faith but
continued pleading. Six times the servant returned with the word
that there was no sign of rain. Undaunted, Elijah sent him once
more. This time the servant returned with the word, “There is a
cloud, as small as a man’s hand, rising out of the sea!”
This was enough! In that small cloud, by faith Elijah saw an
abundance of rain. He acted in harmony with his faith, sending his
servant quickly to Ahab with the message, “Prepare your chariot,
and go down before the rain stops you.”
Because Elijah was a man of large faith, God could use him. His
faith grasped the promises of Heaven, and he persisted in prayer. He
did not wait for the full evidence that God had heard him but was
willing to commit everything on the slightest sign of divine favor.
And what he was enabled to do under God, all may do in their own
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