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Feb 27, 2024 06:00am

Rise Up and Expect

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He believed God. God said it would rain, so he expected rain.

Even when his eyes looked forward and saw no evidence of imminent rain, he chose to believe God. You see, he knew something that we can so easily forget: he looked back and remembered.

He remembered when God hid him near a stream and fed him through ravens.
He remembered when God provided a foreign widow to feed him and give him a place to stay.
He remembered when God did the impossible in the widow’s life through the resurrection of her dead son.
He remembered how God revealed Himself and His sovereignty to His idolatrous people through fire.

So, when God said He would send rain, this man–named Elijah–quite simply believed Him. His track record with God gave him confidence that rain was coming.

Here’s the crazy part: Not one rain cloud was in the sky.

But, our guy Elijah trekked to the top of a mountain, where he stood firm in his faith by bowing low to the ground. With his head between his knees, he prayed for rain.

The people yearned for rain—it had been three and a half long years since Elijah had pronounced a drought over Israel for the people’s idolatry. It had been three and a half long years since a drop of rain touched the scorched surface of the earth. So, when Elijah called all of God’s people together for a showdown of “Whose god is the real God?” the people showed up expecting a revelation, and they were not disappointed. God showed up and revealed Himself—not in the water the people wanted—but in fire.

Funny. They wanted rain, but He sent fire. The fire was proof that God was very much real and still in charge. The water would be a reminder that He still loves them and is drawing His wayward children back to Him. Water would be an act of love and grace.

So, Elijah prayed for rain. He sent his servant to check the sea and look for any sign of storm clouds . . . yet, there was nothing.

I like to imagine Elijah thinking Okay, God, I am not giving up. I trust you.

So, after praying a second time, Elijah sends his servant to check again. The servant comes back with the same news: nothing.

Elijah bows down once more, praying for a rainy revelation of God. Once again, the servant surveys the situation and returns with the same report.

While many of us would be tempted to give up for the day, Elijah doesn’t say a word. Instead, he bows down low again, praying for the fourth time. Still, the servant comes back with the same news: no clouds.

Friends, I have to be honest. If I am in this situation, doubt is beginning to creep into my heart. Did I hear God right? Did He really say it would rain? Yet, Elijah gives no indication he is doubting . . . instead, he shows us expectant faith by bowing down low again and praying.

Once more, the servant reechoes his response: Nothing is there.

At this point, I am most likely admitting defeat. I am hiking up my tunic, tucking it in my belt, and heading home with my head hung low. I am silently questioning God and wondering why He didn’t show up. No doubt I would be in a full-blown pity party of one.

And yet, Elijah remained stubborn and steadfast. For the sixth time, Elijah bowed down low, praying the same prayer . . . and for the sixth time, he got the same news.

Nothing. Nota. Sunny skies ahead.

Perhaps this is when Elijah reminded himself of all the times God showed up in his life. Perhaps he reminded himself that if God said He would do it, He would do it. Period.

Perhaps it was this expectant faith that sent him to the ground, again, for the seventh time. And that’s when it happened. God showed up not in a sudden massive rainstorm, but in a teeny-tiny cloud off in the distance. Oh, friends, that was all Elijah needed to know. Faith had become sight. It was time–rain was coming! That teeny-tiny cloud hadn’t even grown into a full-blown raincloud . . . yet Elijah’s expectant faith knew that the heavens were about to break open and pour out rain, giving the people what they desperately wanted: water. Elijah warned the people to get home quickly–rain was coming!

Maybe those seven prayers grew something special in Elijah’s faith in God. You see, God knew tough times were ahead for Elijah, and perhaps this wait was to prepare him for such times.

Maybe God wants Elijah—and all of us—to have that same expectant faith that He will show up in our lives.

Maybe He just wants His kids to trust Him, rain or no rain. Maybe He wants His people to persist in prayer.

Maybe it’s all of the above.

Oh, friends, let us strive for that same expectant faith. When you struggle the most to look forward in faith, begin by looking back. Remember all those times when He showed up and intervened in your life. Reflect on those times He was steadfastly by your side. Let us choose to have faith, whether there are clear skies or a teeny-tiny cloud in the distance. Let us choose to believe God, whether it’s our seventh prayer or our seventy-seventh prayer. Some of the best things in our lives come from long, hard-fought battles in prayer.

You see, Elijah’s story can become our story when we get stubborn in our faith: not only does God show up with fire, but He woos us with water. Good things happen when we bow down low to God and rise up, expecting Him to show up.

It’s when our water comes.