Trust in the little signs of breakthrough

One man whose story in the Bible reminds me of trusting in God even when there is just a little sign of hope is Elijah. He had been zealous for God but he had to run away after he declared that there would be no rain on the land. Three years of famine ravaged the land because of the words of Elijah. “After a long time, in the third year, the word of the Lord came to Elijah: “Go and present yourself to Ahab, and I will send rain on the land.” (1 Kings 18:1). Elijah heeded to the word of God and ended up having a contest on Mount Carmel with the prophets of Baal (see 1 Kings 18). God showed up and devoured the sacrifice with fire, and this victory cost the lives of the prophets of Baal. The events of the day were just so perfect and everything seemed to work just well. Then, it was time for God to send the rain as promised. The seventh time the servant reported, “A cloud as small as a man’s hand is rising from the sea.” So Elijah said, “Go and tell Ahab, ‘Hitch up your chariot and go down before the rain stops you.’ ” (1 Kings 18:44) The prophet had told king Ahab “Go, eat and drink, for there is the sound of a heavy rain.” So Ahab went off to eat and drink, but Elijah climbed to the top of Carmel, bent down to the ground and put his face between his knees.” (1 Kings 18:41‭-‬42). King Ahab was told to go and eat while the prophet went on top of the mountain to pray. Elijah trusted God to cause a torrential rain to fall even if there was no sign of rain. Six times, Elijah summoned the servant to look towards the sea for a sign of rain. The servant reported that there was none. On the seventh look out, the servant reported, “A cloud as small as a man’s hand is rising from the sea.” Elijah told the servant, “Go and tell Ahab, ‘Hitch up your chariot and go down before the rain stops you.” Why was Elijah so hopeful if the cloud was just as big as a man’s hand? Elijah knew that the little cloud of breakthrough would definitely make way for big rains.  1 Kings 17:45-46 reports that,  “Meanwhile, the sky grew black with clouds, the wind rose, a heavy rain started falling and Ahab rode off to Jezreel. The power of the Lord came on Elijah and, tucking his cloak into his belt, he ran ahead of Ahab all the way to Jezreel.” Elijah trusted God for rain even when there was no sign and on the seventh time, God showed a little sign that brought about a big miracle. This story should remind us to make a ‘big deal’ out of the ‘small signs’ even as we trust in God for breakthroughs. When we pray, we should consider the small things that ultimately make the big difference. When we see a miracle as little as a finger of man, we should acknowledge it and hold on to God for fulfillment. Ecclesiastes 11:3a states that, “If clouds are full of water, they pour rain on the earth.” As we pray and trust in God, we should know that it takes a little sign to start something huge. Be in expectation of your miracle, be ready for your abundance of rain.  Declare with me, “My expectations shall never be cut off.  I am trusting God for something huge. Even if it shows up as a finger of man, I know that my abundance is on the way.”

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