1 Kings 18:^41&43 “Then Elijah said to Ahab, “Go get something to eat and drink, for I hear a mighty rainstorm coming!” “…Go and look out toward the sea.” The servant went and looked, then… said, “I didn’t see anything…” Seven times Elijah told him to go and look.” (emphasis added)

We will kick off today’s devotional still on the story of my friend I shared with you yesterday. Honestly, I thank God that he spoke to me, and thank God for the wisdom to redirect him. This is why gossip is so, so horrible. Imagine if he had spoken to someone else, and the person says, “I too have observed these things you are talking about. I just chose to be quiet, but now I will say what is on my mind.” Stop talking to just anyone and connect to the wisdom of Heaven. What is God saying? Until you can answer honestly, be determined to wait for His voice.

In 1 Kings 18:41-44, we see the threefold dynamic of the king, the prophet, and the priesthood. It may seem like the king’s only function is to eat and drink. But that is not correct, he is playing a key role. The Prophet is just sitting there with his head on his knees, acting like he is very spiritual, praying. Then the priesthood is very active, going back and forth. As Believers, the first thing we need to understand is that there are different dynamics at play. Secondly, when it comes to our lives, we are the embodiment of the three – kingship, the prophetic, and the priesthood. In your life, you have to eat and drink, you have to put your head down to pray, and you have to perform your priesthood duties.

If all you want to do is eat and drink, there will be trouble. If you just want to keep praying and praying, there will be trouble. If all you want to do is run up and down looking here and there, you will discover that going up and down doesn’t lead to anything. You need to connect to the three. You engage the prophetic, you pray until the rain drenches you and the thunderstorms come. You check for the cloud; you do the things you need to do in performing the priestly duties. And guess what? You still get to eat and drink when it is all said and done. So, it is a combination of all three for us believers, and that is the powerful key here for us.

1 Kings 18:⁴⁴ “…Elijah told the servant, “Go tell King Ahab to get his chariot ready and go home now. If he does not leave now, the rain will stop him.” (ERV, emphasis added). Home here is so significant. In fact, “go home” can be a teaching series by itself. But we will look at a few key things. The first implication of “go home” is Repent. Repentance is so powerful because the hand of the Lord is not shortened that He cannot save, neither is His ear blocked that He cannot hear. The Bible says, Your sins that have separated you from your God. Sin is a problem at any time for anybody. The answer and the solution to it is repent! Everyone needs to repent.

Prayer: Father, I ask for the grace and the wisdom to operate aright in my times and seasons and on every occasion, in the Mighty Name of Jesus. Amen!

Isaiah 11:³ “His delight is in the fear of the Lord, And He shall not judge by the sight of His eyes, Nor decide by the hearing of His ears” (NKJV)

“Man of God, Prophet Sir, you have been fasting and praying for a thunderstorm, for the clouds to pour. Now you hear of a small cloud and you are this excited?” Listen, if you do not move when you see a small cloud, the rain will stop you. If you don’t move when you see the small cloud, you will not benefit from the rain. That is how it works. The rain has been announced; it is upon us, but you are not moving. The cloud has come, but because it is small, you dismiss it. The reason people don’t benefit from seasons like this is that they don’t move when “the cloud” is small. The things that are laid upon your heart to do in preparation for the rain, you are not doing them because the cloud is small. I pray that you will not be like that.

I pray you will be wise, get up, and take action. You will maximize this season of rain. People dismiss things because they are too small or because of preferences (they don’t like them). Thirdly, people dismiss things because of discontent. Elijah’s servant could have dismissed the small cloud if he was discontent or grumbling. “Why am I the one who has to go up and down looking for the cloud that is not missing? You have told the king to go and eat, to drink and enjoy himself. You are sitting there on top of the rock, putting your head in your lap. Maybe you are even sleeping; nobody knows, but you claim you are praying. But I am the one who is going up and down like a yo-yo.” People dismiss things because of discontent.

But if you understand that the position God has put you in is a position for your good, you will not be discontent. Joshua could have been discontent about having to fight in the valley. People were coming for his head with swords; he was dodging, fighting. It was bloody. Joshua could have said, “Moses, you just sat up there putting your hands up, pretending to be worshipping. Who can’t do that? I can put my hand up and pretend to be worshipping. Why am I the one dealing with all this mess?” Sometimes, people don’t realize that what Moses is doing on the mountain is what determines the victory they get in the valley. Don’t disdain your Moses.

I have heard people say all sorts of crap about things they do not understand. Do not be quick to judge. Over two decades ago, a friend was complaining to me about his Pastor. He felt he was the one doing all the work while his Pastor was doing nothing. I had to explain to him that, like Joshua, yes, he is the one facing the battle, but if his Pastor’s hands come down, he will lose. If his Pastor’s hands stay up, he will win. So, do your part. I am glad I was the one he spoke to.

Prayer: Father, help me not judge by the sight of my eyes or the hearing of my ears, but by Your Holy Spirit, in Jesus Mighty Name. Amen!