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Humble, Persevering Prayer, May 7
Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed
earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by
the space of three years and six months. And he prayed again, and
the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.
James 5:17, 18
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Important lessons are presented to us in the experience of Elijah.
When upon Mount Carmel he offered the prayer for rain, his faith was
tested, but he persevered in making known his request unto God.
The servant watched while Elijah prayed. Six times he returned from
the watch, saying, There is nothing, no cloud, no sign of rain. But the
prophet did not give up in discouragement. He kept reviewing his life,
to see where he had failed to honor God.... As he searched his heart, he
seemed to be less and less, both in his own estimation and in the sight of
God. It seemed to him that he was nothing, and that God was everything;
and when he reached the point of renouncing self, while he clung to the
Saviour as his only strength and righteousness, the answer came. The
servant appeared, and said, “Behold, there ariseth a little cloud out of the
sea, like a man’s hand.”
1 Kings 18:34
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We have a God whose ear is not closed to our petitions; and if we
prove His word, He will honor our faith. He wants us to have all our
interests interwoven with His interests, and then He can safely bless us;
for we shall not then take glory to self when the blessing is ours, but shall
render all the praise to God. God does not always answer our prayers the
first time we call upon Him; for should He do this, we might take it for
granted that we had a right to all the blessings and favors He bestowed
upon us. Instead of searching our hearts to see if any evil was entertained
by us, any sin indulged, we should become careless, and fail to realize our
dependence upon Him....
Elijah humbled himself until he was in a condition where he would
not take the glory to himself. This is the condition upon which the Lord
hears prayer, for then we shall give the praise to Him.... God alone is
worthy to be glorified.
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