Elijah spoke of ‘the sound of abundance of rain’ when there was not a cloud in the skies. Faith believes God. Faith looks at the things promised as if they were actually fulfilled. Faith gives a present substance to things which are yet future, Heb. 11. 1. Then ‘there was a great rain’, v. 45. What brought about the change? A man at prayer! He had prayed before for no rain, and drought resulted, and he prayed again for rain, Jas. 5. 17, 18, and ‘there was a great rain’. Elijah based his prayer on the promises of God, 18. 1; Deut. 28. 12. Because God had promised, did this render prayer unnecessary? God’s promises are given not to restrain, but to invite prayer. To pray in accordance with God’s revealed will is to pray with the utmost confidence that God will hear and answer the prayer we offer, 1 John 5. 14, 15. His prayer was definite; He prayed for rain. The Lord taught specific prayer (cf. Luke 11. 5 – ‘three loaves’). What could be more specific? General prayers are often ineffective – who would come into the presence of a ruler with a list of generalities? Humility marked his prayer – he who had stood erect before kings takes the lowest place before God. He did not take liberties with God, nor approach Him with indecent familiarity. Notice his posture; he recognized the greatness and holiness of God and his own unworthiness; cf. Gen. 18. 27. He who stands straightest in the presence of men bows lowest in the presence of God! His prayer was fervent; cf. Jas. 5. 16. His whole personality was in his supplications. He really wanted what he asked for, and fervently meant what he said. His prayer was full of expectant faith, the indispensable condition of all true prayer; cf. Jas.1. 6, 7. The servant could not see a thing, although Elijah had heard. It is not easy seeing that which as yet can only be apprehended by faith. There was perseverance in his praying; cf. Luke 18. 2-5; Ps. 40. 1. We must wait for God’s time. Note the time difference in the answers to Elijah’s prayers, v. 38, ‘then’ and v. 44, ‘at the seventh time’. The first was for the sake of the people. Was the delay in the second to teach Elijah patience and humility? None of those who wait upon God shall be ashamed, and Elijah’s prayer was abundantly answered. ‘There was a great rain.’
