In 1 Kings 18, the prophet Elijah tells his servant to go look out into the Mediterranean Sea, because after a three and a half year drought, Elijah has just heard the sound of heavy rain. In obedience, the servant goes and returns with a report of what he saw. NOTHING! Friends, what do we do when we believe we have heard from God about something, but there is nothing to show for it yet? Frustration, fear, and of course doubt can not help but threaten our knowledge of what we sense God has shown or told us. Having faith in the promises of God is believing even before we see. This is the very definition of faith that the writer of Hebrews gives us in chapter 11 verse 1, “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” We can not become discouraged or lose heart when at first, we do not see the promise coming to pass. The servant was sent back to look for the rain six more times. It was not until the seventh trip up the same mountain to the same spot where the previous six times he saw nothing, that finally 1 Kings 18:44 says: “A cloud as small as a man’s hand is rising from the sea”. God was fulfilling his promise to Elijah, and He is fulfilling his promises to you as well. Keep in faith, keep praying, keep looking, and certainly Stay Close Jesus. – Pastor Bryce
