“Behold, as the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their masters, and as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress; so our eyes wait upon the Lord our God, until that He have mercy upon us.” Psalm 123:2
In the ongoing dealings of God with godless Ahab, He spoke to Elijah the prophet, telling him that He would withhold rain for three years. At the word of Elijah the drought would come, and at his word, which the Lord would give him, the rain would fall again. The purpose of God in allowing this drought was to bring Israel back to him, as she had been influenced by the godless idolatry of Jezebel and Ahab. Even some of the prophets and servants of God had been killed by the ruthless king and queen. But there would come a day, when the Lord’s word would come to Elijah, and the prophet would say to Ahab: “Get thee up, eat and drink, for there is a sound of abundance of rain.” (1 Kings 18:41) When Elijah said this, there was no cloud in the sky, nor was there any indication that the rain was on the way. Elijah was acting purely by faith in the God who had spoken to him. That which then occurs reveals us something of what true waiting on God is. We see Elijah climb to the top of Mount Carmel, casting himself down upon his knees, praying with his head between his knees. He would pray for seven times. After every prayer, he would ask his servant to go up and look towards the sea. Six times he would return saying that he saw nothing. However, it would be on the seventh time that he went, that he would return to say to Elijah: “Behold, there ariseth a little cloud out of the sea, like a man’s hand.” (1 Kings 18:44) Elijah then told his servant to tell Ahab that the rain was coming. Scripture relates that, “…the heaven was black with clouds, and wind, and there was a great rain.” (v.45) What then do we learn by this scenario which tells us something of the practice of waiting on God?
The first thing it tells us is that, to wait on God is not a random thing. It has its beginning and ending in God. The basis for waiting on God is the revelation of His will, and this according to His word. In the case of Ahab, God through the prophet Elijah, took the initiative and told him that the rain would be withheld for three years, certainly to demonstrate to Ahab that God was sovereign, and that Elijah was truly His servant. Not only did the Eternal God withhold the rain, but He specifically told Elijah that it was coming. However, Elijah did not know exactly when. What did Elijah do in the meantime? He went up to the top of Mount Carmel, dropping to his knees, humbling himself before God, and praying for the realization of God’s will and purpose in the sending of the rain. He prayed and waited expectantly for news concerning the horizon…and some small thing coming out of the sea. Elijah’s waiting on God was spent in consistent, persevering prayer, again, based upon the word of God, and the faithfulness of His character. In this case, the waiting time was rather short, as Elijah prayed seven times, eventually hearing the words from his servant, that, “…there ariseth a little cloud out of the sea, like a man’s hand.” Elijah’s waiting on God came to fruition when God revealed the beginning of the answer to faith. It was small, but that was all that was needed. Elijah knew that the “great rain” was on its way.
For the servant, or the maidservant, mentioned in the Psalms, the great issue is the will of the master, or the mistress. It is in accordance with that will that hope is focused. With men, there may be failure to realize their will, but not so with God. His word is as sure as His unchanging, faithful nature. He faileth not.
Dear Father, Strengthen us to wait expectantly upon Thee according to Thy word. In Jesus’ name, Amen.