It’s a Small Cloud, But It’s Somethin’

I had been praying for a family member for my entire adult life, but it seemed nothing was happening. Nothing. Perhaps you’ve felt that way about a prayer before.

In 1 Kings 18:41-45, there’s a story about the prophet named Elijah who predicted a three-and-a half-year drought was coming to an end. After delivering the news to King Ahad, 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. “See if there’s a cloud.”

“There’s nothing there,” the servant said upon his return.

Six times Elijah sent the servant back down the mountain to see if there was a cloud. Six times he returned reporting there was not.

I would have probably said, “Mr. Elijah, I think you heard God wrong. Maybe you spoke too soon when you told King Ahab to go and start celebrating that the rain was coming. There’s not a cloud in the sky. God’s not doing anything. And besides, I’m getting tired running up and down this mountain.”

Ignoring the servant’s complaint, Elijah said, “Go again.”

So, the servant turned around, took a deep breath, and made a seventh trek down the mountain to the sea. He observed the sky and came back to tell Elijah the news.

“Well, I saw a little something this time. It’s not very big—just a little cloud—about the size of a man’s hand. It’s not big, but it is something.”

Here’s a question to ponder: Was God working the entire time the servant was running up and down Mt. Carmel, or did God make the cloud appear suddenly on the seventh trek? I think God was working the entire time; the servant just couldn’t see it.

It’s a process for water to evaporate from the ocean and condense into clouds in the sky.  God was working on the servant’s first run down the mountain; the servant just couldn’t see it. Jesus said, “My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I too am working” (John 5:17). Just because you can’t see God working, doesn’t mean He’s not.

Whatever you’re praying for today, whether it’s a child to change their behavior, a teen to accept Christ, or a prodigal to come home, don’t give up. A marriage to be restored, a disease to be healed, relationship to be mended, don’t give up. God is always working in the meanwhile to make our pain worthwhile…even if we can’t see it.

Holy Father, sometimes I feel like nothing is happening when I pray. But I know in my heart that You are always working behind the scenes, bringing all the puzzle pieces together for a grand finale that will take my breath away. I trust in Your perfect timing.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Do you believe God is working in the lives of those for whom you are praying? If so, leave a comment and say, “I know God is working!”

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