Clouds feature in several places in the Bible. The Israelites were led by the pillar of cloud by day during their wilderness wanderings (Ex 13:21) and God’s glory was seen in a cloud. (Ex 16:10) God’s glory filled the tabernacle (Ex 40:34) and covered Mount Sinai (Ex 24:15):

IMG_0636Clouds are perhaps seen as a symbol of God’s presence because our eyes could not cope with His pure glory.

Another cloud story is told in 1 Kings 18:41-45. Here, Elijah has prophesied that there will be no rain in Israel until he declares it as God’s judgment on the evil king, Ahab. Three years later, in 1 Kings 18:1, we find God saying now is the time that He will send rain again. As Elijah prays and sends his servant to see if the rain is coming, the servant finally sees ‘a cloud the size of a man’s hand’, which is the precursor to a deluge which will drench the land:

IMG_0638This story does not simply demonstrate God’s sovereignty over rain. It reminds us that if God has promised something which has not yet happened, we need to hold on until we see the fulfilment of the promise. Elijah bowed facedown in prayer before God, humbling himself as he prayed rather than demanding from God. This attitude of humility is one we should all emulate.

Elijah knew how to persevere in prayer, for it was only on the seventh occasion that the servant actually saw the small cloud which probably did not look big enough to threaten rain. He kept a watch and kept praying. We too need to learn to persist in prayer.

Elijah gave Ahab the opportunity to flee while he could, speaking out in faith that the deluge was coming. We need to speak God’s word in faith and proclaim by faith what we do not yet see. The tiniest cloud can be the start of something big; faith in God leads to the floods of promise which will come in God’s time.