Join us as we read the scriptures and a daily devotion written by Don Crisp. We pray these messages will bless us all at this time.
Wed 29th July – 1 Kings 18:42-46
Categories: Don’s Daily Devotions
Wed 29th July – Read 1 Kings 18:42-46
V42: As Ahab goes, Elijah seeks God’s face in humble prayer, as shown by the posture he adopts. Here surely is an intercessor praying for and identifying with his people. Compare Moses, in Exodus 33:30-32. Note also, that though Elijah is confident in what God will do, he still prays for it in humble faith ( See James 5:18.) This is a balance God’s word sets before us. May it mark our praying.
V43: He sends his servant to look out over the sea. ( Carmel is on a high promontory that looks over the Mediteranean. ) But no sign of rain yet appears – Elijah sends him back to look again – 7 times! Faith waits in humble patience yet confident trust, for God’s time to answer.
V44: On that 7th time – Biblically the number of fullness or completion, remember – the servant reports a small cloud, in the distance so far it seems no bigger than a man’s hand. This is enough for Elijah – he sends the servant to tell Ahab to get in his chariot and drive home quickly, for the rain will soon be so torrential it would stop him doing so.
V45: So it is – soon clouds darken the sky and the rain pours down. This is God’s mercy, after bringing Israel to the measure of repentance seen in v39, even though that will prove less than complete. God is still the same God of mercy and grace – do we pray in real anticipation of the “showers of blessing” of which we sometimes sing?
V46: God’s spirit so comes upon Elijah that he can outrun Ahab’s chariot, returning to Jezreel – the city where Ahab has his palace. God will always equip and enable His servants for what He calls them to do.