Elijah was a man who hoped perfectly; hoped against hope until the abundant answer came. He continued, in the very face of darkness and perplexity, to expect, because the very God of hope lived in him and expected through him. And he was not ashamed, for it came to pass the seventh time his servant said, “A cloud as small as a man’s hand is rising from the sea” (v. 44), and in a little while the heaven was black with clouds, and there was a great rain!

Can you count God faithful when only the still small voice speaks? When there is neither wind, earthquake, nor fire? Can you start when you see the cloud no bigger than a man’s hand? Can you say: “ ‘There is nothing,’ but I wait on Thee. My mind is peculiarly in the dark regarding the way I am to take, but Thou knowest. Unto Thee do I look up!”

“There is nothing”—though the raindrops needed sorely and so long Have been promised by Jehovah, by the Father true and strong. And the sky is blue and cloudless, and the earth is parched and dry, Yet no showers are forthcoming from the reservoir on high.

“There is nothing”—but the prophet knows and trusts his Master’s word; He is not a senseless idol, but the mighty, powerful God. He has seen His wondrous working, he believes Him faithful still; So he humbly waits in patience for Jehovah’s perfect will.

“There is nothing”—oh, how often doth the enemy declare, Nothing for your constant wrestlings; nothing for your cries and tears. And the faithless heart says “Nothing,” though deceived she ne’er has been, For the little cloud so longed for, at the seventh time is seen.

“There is nothing”—but there shall be: God is still the Great “I AM.” He is now Almighty, faithful, and forevermore the same; And the tears, and cries, and wrestlings, have been recorded on high; Not forgotten, nor neglected, to be answered by and by.

JAMES BOOBYER