Spurgeon: September PM
* 09/28/PM
"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.