Elijah is crouched atop Mt. Carmel. His posture depicts in the physical what is going on in the spiritual: he is contending with intense determination, focus, and hope in the Heavenly Courts. He is interceding that the rain would come and end the three year drought (1 Kings 18:41-45).

This particular passage is often used to bring encouragement and exhortation for diligence in prayer. Elijah asked his servant for signs of rain seven times. And seven times he was told that there was nothing to be seen. But still, Elijah kept praying. Eventually, he saw the answer to his prayers.  This lesson of diligence in prayer is important, to be sure. But this passage gives critical insight into another component of prayer: the Faithfulness of God as a good God of Promise.

The answer to Elijah’s prayer comes in the form of a small cloud that rises up from the sea.  I believe that the sea is not just a physical body of water, but represents the sea of the Lord’s promises. Vast, expansive, and deep is this ocean. It will never diminish or dry up. Forever a wellspring of hope fulfilled and a sign of the goodness of the Lord, this sea is the expression of our immense King and His sovereign dreams for our hearts, communities, and nations.

I believe that it was this Sea of Promise that Peter walked on when Christ called him out upon the waves (Matt 14:22-33). Peter was able to walk upon the waves because the promises of our God are sure. The reality of His faithfulness far surpasses the reality of physics and water tension, making it supernaturally possible to do the impossible. I also believe that this Sea of Promise is the same sea depicted in the description of the Throne Room in Revelation (Revelation 15:2). The Kingdom is founded upon the character of God, and he is always and forever faithful. In order for us to have an authentic and deep relationship with the Lord, we must encounter Him and partner with His heart as He dreams.

When we come before the Lord with thankful hearts in prayer and petition, we are asking that His promises would become reality (Phil 4:6). On earth as it is in heaven is our desire (Matt 6:10). As we pray, promise begins to rise and condescend into a holy cloud.  The nature of heaven is to multiply, and to multiply exponentially. This multiplicity principle means that we can be confident that even a cloud the size of a man’s had will eventually grow into a storm. And surely, this divine storm of the goodness of the Lord will bring the answer to our prayers. The rain will come. Our eyes will see what our hearts have known all along: our God is a good God of promise.

So, Saints, pray. With hearts confident in the faithfulness and goodness of our God, let us call forth clouds of promise.