1 Kings 18:43
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. 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.
On Carmel after Israel confessed their sin and the prophets of Baal were slain, Elijah bowed with his face between his knees and pleaded earnestly for rain to refresh the withered earth, sending his servant toward the sea to watch for a token that his prayer was heard. Six times in succession the servant returned with the discouraging report that there was nothing, with no visible sign in the heavens. Despite delay and outward appearances giving no reason for hope, he did not grow impatient, lose faith, or give up in discouragement, but continued in earnest prayer to the seventh time. On the seventh look only a small cloud about the size of a man's hand was seen, which he took by faith as enough token of coming abundance of rain and acted upon at once before the heavens gathered blackness. The verse teaches believers to hold fast to God in living faith, keep bringing their petitions before Him rather than letting go too soon, and with firm, importunate faith refuse to waver until the answer comes, believing He grants what is asked even when it is not yet seen.
Setting on Carmel
On the top of Mount Carmel, after Israel had confessed sin and the idolatrous priests had been slain following the fire, Elijah had done what he could as God's instrument to remove the cause of apostasy. He then bowed with his face between his knees and most earnestly pleaded for rain to withdraw the withering curse and refresh the earth. His sending of the servant toward the sea to look for a visible token belonged to that same prayer for rain after the fire and the slaying of the idolatrous prophets.
That looking toward the sea belonged to a faithful watch through three years and a half of famine when the treasures of heaven were withheld. Through that time he bore a heavy burden in behalf of Israel, with faithful warnings against national idolatry and deep solicitude, standing alone for God upon Mount Carmel where through the power of faith idolatry was cast down. The rain that followed testified to the showers of blessing waiting to be poured out upon Israel. The curse of drought was to be withdrawn and the blessing of dew and rain restored after the people confessed their sins and acknowledged their fathers' God.
His petition was granted with the heaven black with clouds and wind and a great rain that ended the three years in which the treasures of heaven had been withheld. Even after these signal triumphs with which God honored his public ministry, he was willing to perform the service of a menial by running before Ahab's chariot to guide him to Jezreel. God granted every request he made, both fire from heaven and rain, proving God all-powerful and merciful to answer prayer. Yet that same power and mercy was forgotten when, at Jezebel's threat, he fled as a fugitive instead of trusting God for protection as he had trusted Him for fire and rain.
Persevering Prayer Tested
He sent his servant toward the sea to look for a visible token that God had heard his prayer for rain, bidding him go again seven times. Six times in succession the servant returned with the discouraging report that there was nothing, with no visible sign in the brassy heavens. After six earnest prayers there was still no outward indication that rain was coming.
Despite repeated disappointment, delay, and outward appearances giving no reason for hope, he did not lose faith, become impatient and faithless, or give up in discouragement. His steady, abiding faith endured and was tested by the waiting. He prayed seven times before the cloud appeared, and his faith stood the trial until the answer came.
He continued in earnest prayer to the seventh time, until the cloud appeared and the heavens gave rain. Giving up in discouragement before the answer comes would leave the prayer unanswered, for petitions are to be held before God in faith rather than given up too soon. Faith that holds on will stand trial seven times whatever outward appearance or feeling is against it.
On the seventh look the servant reported only a small cloud about the size of a man's hand. He took it by faith as enough token of coming abundance of rain, without waiting for the heavens to gather blackness to make it sure. In that small rising cloud he heard the sound of abundance of rain, trusting God's promise before he had full evidence. He acted at once upon that slight sign, sending word to Ahab to prepare his chariot and flee before the rain stopped him.
Pattern for Believers
Elijah's sevenfold sending of his servant toward the sea is the lesson in holding fast to God in living faith, keeping petitions before Him rather than letting go too soon. His faith endured the trial of repeated delay, for six times there was no visible sign and outward appearances gave no reason for hope, yet he did not give up in discouragement but told his servant to go again until at last the cloud appeared and rain followed. Believers are therefore to keep bringing their petitions to God, hold firmly to His sure promises, and believe He grants what is asked in faith even when the answer is not yet seen. It is faith that holds on through repeated trials and refuses to let discouragement end prayer before the answer comes.
That persistence is firm, importunate faith that obtains its request by refusing to waver, turn away, or give up. Having asked God for blessing, the petitioner believes God will bless and continues seeking it, as Elijah sent his servant again seven times until the answer came. Like the importunate widow, those who hold fast to their request may obtain it. Believers should therefore ask greater blessings of the Lord, believe He will bless, and hold on firmly without wavering.
Elijah's unyielding persistence is the pattern for claiming all that God has promised, especially before personal effort to save souls. Such work requires much secret prayer to gain wisdom in the science of saving souls, by communing with Christ and obtaining preparation for ministering at the throne of heavenly grace, with a heart breaking in longing for God, for the living God. By becoming partaker of the divine nature humanity can have all that Christ received from God, and then ask and receive. With deliverance near and Satan working in great power as restraint is taken from the wicked and Christ's intercession between the Father and man is about to end, believers must watch against Satan's wiles and hold to persevering faith that will stand trial seven times whatever their feelings. The prayer of faith will bring the dew of heaven to water their souls and cover them with God's protection to be hid in the time of trouble, for God granted Elijah both fire from heaven and rain, proving Him all-powerful and merciful to answer prayer, a power and mercy to be trusted for protection as well as for blessing.