"...there is a sound of abundance of rain..."

I Kings 18:43-45

41 “And Elijah said unto Ahab, get thee up, eat and drink; for there is a sound of abundance of rain. 42 So Ahab went up to eat and to drink. And Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; and he cast himself down upon the earth, and put his face between his knees, 43 And said to his servant, go up now, look toward the sea. And he went up, and looked, and said, there is nothing. And he said, Go again seven times. 44 And it came to pass at the seventh time, that he said, Behold, there ariseth a little cloud out of the sea, like a man's hand. And he said, Go up, say unto Ahab, Prepare thy chariot, and get thee down, that the rain stop thee not. 45 And it came to pass in the mean while, that the heaven was black with clouds and wind, and there was a great rain.”

Elijah the Tishbite… more than a skilled leader or capable communicator, Elijah was a man of God with the fire of God in his spirit. Consider with me some priceless principles and timeless truths from the ministry of Elijah.

1. Elijah Heard Something In His Spirit: “there is a sound of abundance of rain”. Men and women of God who have a daily walk with God, hear things in their spirit that others don’t hear. A relationship with God based more on convenience than commitment will never develop a sensitivity and discernment of the voice of the Holy Spirit. Leadership skills are a must. Study and preparation are imperative. Yet, without the voice of the Spirit, we will function without the Spirit’s unction and preach without His power.

2. Elijah Positioned Himself To Seek God: “And Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; and he cast himself down upon the earth and put his face between his knees”. Jesus exemplified the secret to being effective in ministry: “Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, he went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed” (Mark 1:35). The success of our serving will be determined by the measure of our seeking.

3. Elijah Did Not Give Up: “And (he) said to his servant go up now, look toward the sea. And he went up, and looked, and said, there is nothing. And he said go again seven times”. Regardless of situation or circumstance…. don’t give up…”Go again!” Go again to prayer! Go again to the pulpit! Go again to the platform! Go again to that lost person! The flesh says quit - the Spirit says press on!

May I tell you... there is a sound of an abundant outpouring! Acts 2:2 says that there was “a sound from heaven!” There is a hunger in the house for an outpouring from heaven. God’s promise remains true: Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness for they SHALL be filled!