Go up now, look toward the sea
1 Kings 18:43
Elijah said to his servant, '..."Go up now, look toward the sea." So he went up and looked, and said, "There is nothing." And seven times [Elijah] said, "Go again"... the seventh time... [the servant] said, "There is a cloud, as small as a man's hand, rising out of the sea!" So [Elijah] said, "Go up, say to Ahab, 'Prepare your chariot, and go down before the rain stops you"' (1 Kings 18:43-44 NKJV). Notice four things in this story.
First, you must look to God for your answer, not people. 'Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord...He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream...It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit' (Jeremiah 17:7-8 NIV). Second, you must keep believing what God says. Elijah kept getting the same negative report, 'There is nothing'. But he kept believing God until finally, the seventh time, his servant said, 'There is a cloud, as small as a man's hand, rising out of the sea.' God had promised it was coming, so he stood on God's Word.
Third, you must not be influenced by those who don't share your vision. Elijah's servant kept saying, 'Nothing is happening.' But Elijah knew better. You can't be led by those who aren't in sync with you spiritually. Finally, you must position yourself to receive. '...He... put his face between his knees' (1 Kings 18:42 NKJV). That's the birthing position!
Today what you sense within you is real, but if you don't get into position and push it won't happen. If you do, God will bless you with 'abundance' (1 Kings 18:41 NKJV).
Used with permission from UCB Word for Today. Free issues are available here for the UK and Republic of Ireland.
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