Focus on the Cloud
1 Kings 18:44
44 Then it came to pass the seventh time, that he said, "There is a cloud, as small as a man's hand, rising out of the sea!" So he said, "Go up, say to Ahab, 'Prepare your chariot, and go down before the rain stops you.’"
Elijah had confronted them three years earlier, and proclaimed that the Lord would shut the heavens for three years. At the end of that time, Elijah moved into a “suddenly”, a time when the waiting was over and GOD’S ANSWER BEGAN!
The answer was strange at first: a showdown between the “god”, Baal and the Asherah worshipers and the God of the Universe, Yahweh, the self existent one. The showdown resulted in a miraculous release of fire, a horrific purge and then prayer for rain.
Why do I recount this from our reading this week in the Life Journal system? Because we are seeing a cloud, the size of a man’s hand on the prophetic horizon.
What is it? Revival has broken out at the place where one of the most shocking murders in our country’s history took place. God is moving on those who have come as a pilgrimage to Minneapolis and He is moving powerfully. Thus far, hundreds have been saved. They have hauled in a horse tank to do baptisms. Healing is breaking out. Reconciliations between people of different colors and cultures are happening. In short, the kingdom of God has come.
But, what about CHAZ and the riots elsewhere? What about the Supreme Court and all the evil happening in Washington and in our economy?
Don’t scan the skies, focus on the cloud! Look at what God IS doing! (That’s a great rule of thumb every day of the week!) Focus on the cloud…God is moving in the midst of pain and tragedy. He is healing people’s broken hearts. He is doing what He always does and gives what He always does, an exchange of outrageous proportions.
This is best exampled in the Messianic portion of Isaiah, written as prophecy about Jesus and what His kingdom looks like in Isaiah 61:1-4 ESV
"The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me,
Because the Lord has anointed Me
To preach good tidings to the poor;
He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to the captives,
And the opening of the prison to those who are bound;
2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord,
And the day of vengeance of our God;
To comfort all who mourn,
3 To console those who mourn in Zion,
To give them beauty for ashes,
The oil of joy for mourning,
The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness;
That they may be called trees of righteousness,
The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified."
4 And they shall rebuild the old ruins,
They shall raise up the former desolations,
And they shall repair the ruined cities,
The desolations of many generations.”
Do you see it?
First, the Spirit is poured out and then through His Spirit and kingdom, the brokenhearted are healed, the favor of the Lord comes upon is and the exchange begins. So that, “they shall rebuild the ancient ruins, they shall raise up the former desolations, AND THEY SHALL REPAIR THE RUINED CITIES, the desolations of many generations.”
Are you ready? This is not a drill. This is the real thing. Again, are you ready? Everything is about to change! Don’t be weary. Press the advantage in prayer. God is on the move! There is a small cloud the size of man’s hand on the horizon. Focus on it. Pray it in and get ready to run!
