The Cloud in the Distance

“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 18:42 NIV)

Elijah was now a household name,

His name quietly passed around with awe-filled whispers.

He had done exactly as God had commanded,

And the Lord displayed His power by burning up the altar.

But one promise remained,

To send rain.

All Elijah could do now was pray and wait,

Hoping to see the cloud in the distance.

 

 

Elijah knew that the Lord would do as He promised,

But everyone was watching and waiting,

Eager to see what miracle Elijah had up his sleeve to produce rain,

Closely following him and deep blue skies with their eyes.

So he retreated to the top of Mount Carmel,

And prayed.

He prayed that the Lord would show his power once more,

And that he would not be put to shame,

Because of what God had promised to do.

But still,

There was no cloud in the distance.

 

 

Imagine telling Ahab that rain was on the way,

Yet the sky was a beautiful sky blue,

With not a single cloud in the distance.

Elijah knew that God would send rain,

But his silent question was, “When?”

“How much longer?”

He bowed down with his head between his knees,

Waiting for the cloud in the distance.

 

 

Elijah sent his servant to check if there were any clouds,

Not once, not twice but seven times.

What relief Elijah must have felt,

When he heard the words,

“I see a cloud the size of a man’s hand.”

Elated. Grateful. Encouraged.

As he looked up to view God’s miraculous answer,

The cloud in the distance.

 

 

Have you ever seen a cloud in the distance?

I have, many times.

A word from a dear friend, or even a stranger.

Miraculous healing. Miraculous provision.

And many more clouds in the distance.

God sends these little clouds to us,

To remind us that He has not forgotten us,

Even though we have waited for so long.

They remind us that God has heard our prayers,

And that He is still at work in our lives.

What a blessing it is,

To see a cloud in the distance.

 

 

Have you been eagerly praying about something,

And you feel that God has gone quiet on you?

He may not have answered your prayer yet,

But He has heard your cries.

And if you look carefully,

You will see many little clouds in the distance,

Sent by God to remind you,

That He is walking with you on the journey of faith.

Next to you, holding your hand,

And carrying you when you are too tired to walk.

Look out for the cloud in the distance.

It’s there.

‘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 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.’

(1 Kings 18:44-46 NIV)