1 Kings 18:41 (NIV), “And Elijah said to Ahab, ‘Go, eat and drink, for there is the sound of a heavy rain.’”

1 Kings 18:41 (NIV), “And Elijah said to Ahab, ‘Go, eat and drink, for there is the sound of a heavy rain.’” 

This statement to Ahab must have sounded a little strange, because as he looked from the top of Mount Carmel , for miles and miles all he could see was a clear blue sky.

Let us take up, the rest of this amazing story from 1 Kings 18:41-46 (NIV), “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.  ‘Go and look toward the sea,’ he told his servant. And he went up and looked. ‘There is nothing there,’ he said. Seven times Elijah said, ‘Go back.’ 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.”’ Meanwhile, the sky grew black with clouds, the wind rose, a heavy rain came on and Ahab rode off to Jezreel. The power of the LORD came upon Elijah and, tucking his cloak into his belt, he ran ahead of Ahab all the way to Jezreel.” 

In Deuteronomy 11:16-17 (NIV) the Israelites are warned that if they worship other gods, they would provoke the Lord to anger so that the heavens would be shut up, and there would be no rain. In 1 Kings 17:1, in a time when the Israelites had immersed themselves in Baal worship, Elijah prophesies, “It will not rain for the next few years but by my word.” After three-and-a-half years of drought Elijah prayed to the Lord, and only then did it rain. 

In this amazing story, you can see seven qualities of a man of faith. 

1.  Faith hears and sees what the world cannot hear or see (Faith hears the sound of victory before it happens). 

Imagine if I blew a dog whistle. Only a dog would hear it.  In order for me to hear it, my ears would have to be “tuned in” to the right frequency. Just as if I was tuning into a radio station, the dial would have to be tuned into the right radio frequency. As a man of faith, one must have his ears tuned into the frequency of heaven. 

2.  Faith prays earnestly.  

The Bible says in James 5:16 (KJV), “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”

3.  Faith is strong when there seems to be nothing in the sky…faith always stands strong.

Romans 4:17 (NIV), “…the God who gives life to the dead and calls things that are not as though they were.”

4.  Faith says, “Go again!”

Faith does not give up; faith keeps going, faith says, “Go again!”

5.  Faith goes on when there is little evidence. (i.e. the cloud as small as a man’s hand.)

When there is little evidence, faith goes on (Acts 19:20 (KJV), “So mightily grew the word of God, and prevailed”).

6.  Faith believes for the big when it sees the little.

When we see just the small shoots of revival, we believe for the big. When we see just a small cloud, we believe for the outpouring, from heaven, of showers of blessing.

7.  Faith fights on and outruns the chariots of Ahab, as the power of the Lord rests strong on you.

The power of God is supernatural, it enables us to climb to great heights and soar as on wings like eagles. With God, nothing is impossible. What man cannot do, God does with ease. The blessing of the Lord enables you to do great things for the Him and His Kingdom. The Bible says in Daniel 11:32 (KJV), “But the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits.”

His blessing and His power upon your life will enable you to outrun, out-go, and out-do anything that this world may have, and His power brings mighty miracles and awesome signs and wonders for the glory of the Lord. 

God bless you my friend, Matthew.