“Go again seven times.” 
              — 1 Kings 18:43

Success is certain when the Lord has promised it. Although you may have
pleaded month after month without evidence of answer, it is not
possible that the Lord should be deaf when his people are earnest in a
matter which concerns his glory. The prophet on the top of Carmel
continued to wrestle with God, and never for a moment gave way to a
fear that he should be non-suited in Jehovah’s courts. Six times the
servant returned, but on each occasion 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 from Carmel’s
brow, and if nothing is beheld, she sends again and again. So far from
being crushed by repeated disappointment, faith is animated to plead
more fervently with her God. She is humbled, but not abashed: her
groans are deeper, and her sighings more vehement, but she never
relaxes her hold or stays her hand. It would be more agreeable to flesh
and blood to have a speedy answer, but believing souls have learned to
be submissive, and to find it good to wait for as well as upon the
Lord. Delayed answers often set the heart searching itself, and so lead
to contrition and spiritual reformation: deadly blows are thus struck
at our corruption, and the chambers of imagery are cleansed. The great
danger is lest 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
even 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 of like passions with us: 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 with you according to your desire.

On this day...

• Hosea 2 - 2023
• Hosea 1 - 2023
• Ecclesiastes 7:14 - 2011
• 35 Famous Quotes by William Barclay - 2011
• I AM A CONVINCED UNIVERSALIST - 2011
• William Barclay - 2011
• Psalms 33:13 - 2008
• Psalms 33:13 - 2008
• WHEREBY SHALL I KNOW? - 2008
• BY THE GRACE OF GOD I AM WHAT I AM - 2008