July 8th, 2025
by Joel Sosa
by Joel Sosa
Have you ever felt like your obedience to God wasn't working? Like you've been fasting, praying, reading your Bible, and showing up to church, but still not seeing results? You're not alone. Many of us have experienced seasons where our faith feels tested, and we wonder if God is really listening.
But what if the sound of God's promise doesn't always match what we see? Throughout the Bible, we find countless examples of this truth. David was anointed as king, yet his journey to the throne was far from royal. Abraham was promised descendants as numerous as the stars, yet his wife remained barren for years. These stories remind us that God's promises often unfold in unexpected ways.
The account of Elijah on Mount Carmel offers profound insights into this spiritual principle. After a prolonged drought, Elijah heard the sound of heavy rain. Yet when he sent his servant to look, there was nothing but clear skies. Undeterred, Elijah persisted, sending his servant back seven times. It wasn't until the seventh attempt that a tiny cloud, "as small as a man's hand," appeared on the horizon.
This story teaches us a crucial lesson: Truth shows up in persistence. The Bible tells us that the people of God may get knocked down seven times, but they get up eight. It's about continuing to pursue God's promises, even when we can't see immediate results.
Elijah's preparation and intimacy with God allowed him to hear the sound of rain before there was any visible sign. This is faith in action – hearing before seeing. It challenges us to trust God when our spirit hears what our eyes can't yet perceive. Can we continue to believe and act on God's promises when everything around us seems unchanged?
The repeated "nothing" responses from Elijah's servant represent a test we all must face. It's easy to give up after a few attempts, thinking our prayers aren't working or God isn't listening. But what if breakthrough is just around the corner? What if we stop praying for our loved ones or pursuing our God-given dreams right before the cloud appears?
Here's an unexpected truth: Nothing doesn't mean no. Just because we can't see God moving doesn't mean He isn't working behind the scenes. Like a watch that's stopped but doesn't halt time itself, our perception of inactivity doesn't negate God's continuous work in our lives.
When the tiny cloud finally appeared, it didn't look like much. Yet it held the weight of the nation's future – the promise of rain after years of drought. This teaches us another vital lesson: God doesn't need something big to do something powerful. That small beginning, "as small as a man's hand," was the precursor to a massive rainstorm that would transform the land.
How often do we overlook the small signs of God's faithfulness because we're expecting something grander? Perhaps it's time to adjust our expectations and recognize that what we have – however small it may seem – is enough for God to work with. You are enough. Your faith, your efforts, your resources – in God's hands, they are sufficient for Him to do miraculous things.
The story doesn't end with the sighting of the cloud. As soon as Elijah received confirmation, he sprang into action. The Bible says he "ran with power," outpacing King Ahab's chariot all the way to Jezreel. This sudden burst of supernatural strength and speed illustrates an important principle: Obedience after persistence releases acceleration.
There comes a time when we need to recognize the signs God is giving us and act decisively. It's time to "tuck in our cloaks" – to remove any distractions or doubts that might hinder us – and run with the vision God has given us. The hand of the Lord is upon you, providing strength for the journey ahead.
For those feeling stuck or discouraged in their spiritual walk, take heart. Just as Elijah interceded for rain, Jesus is interceding for you right now. He sees your pain, understands your struggles, and is continually advocating on your behalf. The challenge is to keep showing up, to "go again" even when you see nothing changing.
Remember the promise in the book of Joel: "I will restore to you the years that the locust has eaten." God is not bound by our timelines or limited by our delays. He can accelerate your progress, restore lost time, and bring you into your destiny faster than you could imagine.
As we reflect on these truths, let's challenge ourselves:
1. Where in your life do you need to persist, even when you can't see results?
2. Are there small beginnings or subtle signs of God's work that you might be overlooking?
3. How can you prepare yourself for the "running season" God has for you?
4. What distractions or doubts do you need to "tuck away" to focus on God's promises?
In this season of pursuing God, He invites us to cast our burdens upon Him while continuing to show up faithfully. Keep praying for that loved one. Keep pursuing that God-given dream. Keep diving into His Word. Though you may not see it yet, God is working. The cloud is forming on the horizon, and the rain of His blessings is on its way.
Let us be a people marked by persistent faith, attentive to God's subtle movements, and ready to run with power when He calls us to action. For in due season, we will reap if we do not give up.
But what if the sound of God's promise doesn't always match what we see? Throughout the Bible, we find countless examples of this truth. David was anointed as king, yet his journey to the throne was far from royal. Abraham was promised descendants as numerous as the stars, yet his wife remained barren for years. These stories remind us that God's promises often unfold in unexpected ways.
The account of Elijah on Mount Carmel offers profound insights into this spiritual principle. After a prolonged drought, Elijah heard the sound of heavy rain. Yet when he sent his servant to look, there was nothing but clear skies. Undeterred, Elijah persisted, sending his servant back seven times. It wasn't until the seventh attempt that a tiny cloud, "as small as a man's hand," appeared on the horizon.
This story teaches us a crucial lesson: Truth shows up in persistence. The Bible tells us that the people of God may get knocked down seven times, but they get up eight. It's about continuing to pursue God's promises, even when we can't see immediate results.
Elijah's preparation and intimacy with God allowed him to hear the sound of rain before there was any visible sign. This is faith in action – hearing before seeing. It challenges us to trust God when our spirit hears what our eyes can't yet perceive. Can we continue to believe and act on God's promises when everything around us seems unchanged?
The repeated "nothing" responses from Elijah's servant represent a test we all must face. It's easy to give up after a few attempts, thinking our prayers aren't working or God isn't listening. But what if breakthrough is just around the corner? What if we stop praying for our loved ones or pursuing our God-given dreams right before the cloud appears?
Here's an unexpected truth: Nothing doesn't mean no. Just because we can't see God moving doesn't mean He isn't working behind the scenes. Like a watch that's stopped but doesn't halt time itself, our perception of inactivity doesn't negate God's continuous work in our lives.
When the tiny cloud finally appeared, it didn't look like much. Yet it held the weight of the nation's future – the promise of rain after years of drought. This teaches us another vital lesson: God doesn't need something big to do something powerful. That small beginning, "as small as a man's hand," was the precursor to a massive rainstorm that would transform the land.
How often do we overlook the small signs of God's faithfulness because we're expecting something grander? Perhaps it's time to adjust our expectations and recognize that what we have – however small it may seem – is enough for God to work with. You are enough. Your faith, your efforts, your resources – in God's hands, they are sufficient for Him to do miraculous things.
The story doesn't end with the sighting of the cloud. As soon as Elijah received confirmation, he sprang into action. The Bible says he "ran with power," outpacing King Ahab's chariot all the way to Jezreel. This sudden burst of supernatural strength and speed illustrates an important principle: Obedience after persistence releases acceleration.
There comes a time when we need to recognize the signs God is giving us and act decisively. It's time to "tuck in our cloaks" – to remove any distractions or doubts that might hinder us – and run with the vision God has given us. The hand of the Lord is upon you, providing strength for the journey ahead.
For those feeling stuck or discouraged in their spiritual walk, take heart. Just as Elijah interceded for rain, Jesus is interceding for you right now. He sees your pain, understands your struggles, and is continually advocating on your behalf. The challenge is to keep showing up, to "go again" even when you see nothing changing.
Remember the promise in the book of Joel: "I will restore to you the years that the locust has eaten." God is not bound by our timelines or limited by our delays. He can accelerate your progress, restore lost time, and bring you into your destiny faster than you could imagine.
As we reflect on these truths, let's challenge ourselves:
1. Where in your life do you need to persist, even when you can't see results?
2. Are there small beginnings or subtle signs of God's work that you might be overlooking?
3. How can you prepare yourself for the "running season" God has for you?
4. What distractions or doubts do you need to "tuck away" to focus on God's promises?
In this season of pursuing God, He invites us to cast our burdens upon Him while continuing to show up faithfully. Keep praying for that loved one. Keep pursuing that God-given dream. Keep diving into His Word. Though you may not see it yet, God is working. The cloud is forming on the horizon, and the rain of His blessings is on its way.
Let us be a people marked by persistent faith, attentive to God's subtle movements, and ready to run with power when He calls us to action. For in due season, we will reap if we do not give up.
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