1st Kings 18:41-46 “ I don’t see Nothing Happening “

1 Kings 18:41–46 (ESV)

41 And Elijah said to Ahab, “Go up, eat and drink, for there is a sound of the rushing of rain.”

42 So Ahab went up to eat and to drink. And Elijah went up to the top of Mount Carmel. And he bowed himself down on the earth and put his face between his knees.

43 And he said to his servant, “Go up now, look toward the sea.” And he went up and looked and said, “There is nothing.” And he said, “Go again,” seven times.

44 And at the seventh time he said, “Behold, a little cloud like a man’s hand is rising from the sea.” And he said, “Go up, say to Ahab, ‘Prepare your chariot and go down, lest the rain stop you.’ ”

45 And in a little while the heavens grew black with clouds and wind, and there was a great rain. And Ahab rode and went to Jezreel.

46 And the hand of the Lord was on Elijah, and he gathered up his garment and ran before Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel.

“ I don’t see Nothing Happening “

There are times

In all of our lives

That when we are in the midst of a drought

That we just don’t see things

Getting any better

And what makes it worst

Is that in the midst of our drought

You’ve continue

To stay FAITHFUL to God

And things still don’t get any better

In other words

You just don’t see nothing happening

And the principles

That we won’t to pick up

In 1st Kings chapter 18 is

1. God’s Promise and Faith: After a long drought, Elijah trusted God’s promise that rain would come. He tells King Ahab to prepare because he believes in God’s word. This teaches us to have faith in God’s promises, even when we don’t see immediate results.

2. Persistence in Prayer: Elijah prays and sends his servant to look for rain seven times before the servant finally sees a small cloud. This shows us the importance of being persistent in our prayers and not giving up, even if we don’t get an answer right away.

3. Small Signs of Hope: The cloud was tiny, but Elijah knew it meant a big rain was coming. This teaches us that sometimes God’s answers to our prayers start small, and we should recognize and be encouraged by these small signs.

4. God’s Power: When the rain came, God gave Elijah the strength to run faster than a chariot. This demonstrates that God can give us the strength we need to do amazing things, reminding us of His power and care for us.

The servant said in verse 43 “ I just don’t see a thing “

But how could he see when it hasn’t rain in 3 1/2 years

And that’s the story of your life

You just don’t see a thing

Because it hasn’t rain

In a long time in your situation

Hadn’t rain in your marriage

Hadn’t rain in your finances

Hadn’t rain on your health

You just don’t see the promises that God has made to you coming

You just don’t see God answering your prayers

BUT YOU DO SEE what God is doing for everyone else BUT YOU

Elijah shows up in the text in chapter 18

And he goes to Ahab

And he declare to Ahab

That rain is on the way

He declares to Ahab

That God is getting ready to reverse the curse

For 3 1/2 years there’s been no rain

For 3 1/2 years there’s been no due

Elijah shows up to Ahab in chapter 17

And tells him “ As the Lord God liveth “

There shall be no rain on the earth

And for 3 1/2 years there’s been no rain

And because there's been no rain

The Bible says in chapter 18 verse 2

That there is a sore famine in the land

That word sore in the King James text

In the Hebrew the word sore means ( Severe )

It means that it was a fatal famine in the land

Things are so bad

Until babies are crying

Crops are drying up

And people are dying

There’s a fatal famine in the land

But what shouts me about 1st. Kings

Chapter 17 & chapter 18 is this

As bad as things are

Elijah never missed a meal

It’s a fatal famine in the land

But some kind of way God sustained Elijah

Things are so bad

That the nation of Samaria

Went over the physical cliff

In the midst of the nose dive of the economy

The bible teaches us

God still fed the FAITHFUL

Even in the face of a fatal famine

Note: If you are faithful to God, some kind of way God will remain faithful to you no matter how bad things may be.

God sustains Elijah

Because God is a Sustainer

God will take care of you

Often times we praise God for the stuff

But sometimes you got to praise God for Him just sustaining YOU

Sustaining — means His support in rough times

While other people are losing their house

God is sustaining you

While other people are losing their jobs

God is sustaining you

While other people are losing their stuff

God is sustaining you

While other people are killing themselves

God is sustaining you

While other people are packing up and throwing in the towel

God is sustaining you

Some kind of way God keeps making away for you

For 3 1/2 years God sustained Elijah

In the midst of a drought

When you read 1st Kings 17

God used — Ravens —- Brook — Widow woman

For 3 1/2 years God sustained Elijah

For 3 1/2 years Elijah never missed a meal

For 3 1/2 years God had Elijah in the witness protection program

For 3 1/2 years God had his back

For 3 1/2 years God covered him

For 3 1/2 years God keep him encourage

For 3 1/2 years Elijah never cried

For 3 1/2 years Elijah never had any worries

After 3 1/2 years was over

God tells Elijah go to Ahab

And tell him it’s over

Go to Ahab and tell him celebrate

Rain is on the way

The moment Elijah tells Ahab

That rain is on the way

His servant in verse 43 says “ I don’t see a thing “

Note: And if the truth be told that’s where somebody is today — “ I don’t see a thing “

Here it is that the man of God

Is saying it’s over

But his servant is saying “ I don’t see it “

What do you do when you just don’t see it

You come to church — you pay your tithes & offering — in ministry — a faithful husband — a faithful wife — Faith to job — BUT YOU JUST DON”T SEE IT .

When you “ Don’t see Nothing Happening “

1st. Respond in Faith ( V. 41 - 42A )

1 Kings 18:41–42 (ESV)

41 And Elijah said to Ahab, “Go up, eat and drink, for there is a sound of the rushing of rain.”

42 So Ahab went up to eat and to drink. And Elijah went up to the top of Mount Carmel. And he bowed himself down on the earth and put his face between his knees.

Now Ahab don’t see what Elijah sees

He don’t hear what Elijah hears

But he obeys the word of Elijah

And takes him at his word

Explain - 41 - 42A

Verse 41 — It’s hard to celebrate when you don’t see nothing happening

1 Kings 18:41 (ESV)

41 And Elijah said to Ahab, “Go up, eat and drink, for there is a sound of the rushing of rain.”

Elijah tells him

I need you to respond

Not based on what you see

But based on what you hear — The Word of God from the Man of God

Now the question must be asked & answered is

Ahab, how after not seeing rain for 3 1/2 years

Just get up & respond like that

Ahab how are you able to take

Elijah at his word

The forecast didn’t call for rain

The clouds are not gray

It’s still bright outside

And Ahab speaks to us from the text

And Ahab says I’m able to take him at his word today

Because I got experience

With this man in my yesterday

This is the same man in chapter 17 verse 1

That said it was not going to rain

So if he had the power

To stop the rain in chapter 17

I believe he has the power to start the rain in chapter 18

Note: If God done it in your PAST God can do it in your PRESENCE

Quote: “ Don’t ever doubt in the dark what God has told you in the light “

Note: Look back & see where God has brought you from

Note: Ahab didn’t see it but he responded to Elijah word

“ When you Don’t see Nothing Happening “

1st. Respond in Faith ( V. 42-43 )

2nd. You have to fight to Retain your Focus ( V. 43 )

You have to fight thru somethings to retain your FOCUS

Verse 43

1 Kings 18:43 (ESV)

43 And he said to his servant, “Go up now, look toward the sea.” And he went up and looked and said, “There is nothing.” And he said, “Go again,” seven times.

That phrase “ keep looking “

In the Hebrew is in the imperative mood

It’s a command

He was not giving the servant an option

He commands him to keep looking

You have to keep looking for 4 reasons

Retain your Focus

1st. Because what you’re looking for might be Delayed

Quote: “ Vision delayed is not necessary vision denied “

Note: Sometimes God delays it just to see what you’re going to do

( Will you STOP — Praying - Church Tithes - Fasting )

Retain your Focus

1st. Because what you’re looking for might be Delayed

2nd. Because what you’re looking for maybe Difficult to see

It maybe difficult because

The servant had to go look

And come back and tell Elijah what he saw

Go look again and come back and tell Elijah what he saw after 7 times

Retain your Focus

1st. Because what you’re looking for might be Delayed

2nd. Because what you’re looking for maybe Difficult to see

3rd. Because what you’re looking for maybe Discouraging when you see it

The servant says “ Oh yes “

I do see something

But it doesn’t look like much

I’ve gone up 7 times

And now I see something

But what I see ain’t much ( The size of a mans hand )

Note: The servant is saying I went up 7 times for this ?

( It’s SMALL )

Retain your Focus

1st. Because what you’re looking for might be Delayed

2nd. Because what you’re looking for maybe Difficult to see

3rd. Because what you’re looking for maybe Discouraging when you see it

4th. Because what you’re looking for maybe for your Development

1st. Respond in Faith V. 42-43 )

2nd. You have to fight to Retain your Focus ( V. 43 )

3rd. Do those things knowing that Rain is coming ( v. 41B )

1 Kings 18:41 (ESV)

41 And Elijah said to Ahab, “Go up, eat and drink, for there is a sound of the rushing of rain.”

You have to know at some point

That God is going to turn it around

Elijah is representing God

So when Elijah says

Rain is on the way

Really God is saying it’s on the way

“ Rain is on the way “ — means Hope for the future

When there’s rain in your future

There’s always going to be a WORD from God ( Rain is on the way )

1st. The WORD of God ( V. 41 )

2nd. The WORK of God ( V. 45A )

While Elijah is talking about it

God is already working it out

Preached @

4’c Pastor Tilman