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Morning and Evening

September 28, Evening

C. H. Spurgeon · Modern retelling

"Go again seven times." — 1 Kings 18:43 · KJV

Success is certain when the Lord has promised it. Though you may have pleaded month after month with no sign of an answer, it is not possible that the Lord should be deaf when His people are earnest in a matter that concerns His glory. The prophet on the top of Carmel kept wrestling with God, and never for a moment gave way to a fear that he would be turned away in Yahweh's courts. Six times the servant returned, and each time no word was spoken but "Go again." We must not dream of unbelief, but hold to our faith even to seventy times seven. Faith sends expectant hope to look out from Carmel's brow, and if nothing is seen, she sends again and again. Far from being crushed by repeated disappointment, faith is stirred to plead more fervently with her God. She is humbled, but not abashed; her groans are deeper and her sighs more vehement, but she never loosens her hold or stays her hand. It would suit flesh and blood better to have a speedy answer, but believing souls have learned to be submissive, and to find it good to wait for the Lord as well as upon Him. Delayed answers often set the heart searching itself, and so lead to contrition and spiritual reform; deadly blows are thus struck at our corruption, and the chambers of imagery are cleansed. The great danger is that men should faint and miss the blessing. Reader, do not fall into that sin, but continue in prayer and watching. At last the little cloud was seen, the sure forerunner of torrents of rain; and so with you, the token for good shall surely be given, and you shall rise as a prevailing prince to enjoy the mercy you have sought. Elijah was a man with the same passions as we; his power with God did not lie in his own merits. If his believing prayer availed so much, why not yours? Plead the precious blood with unceasing importunity, and it shall be to you according to your desire.