A Cloud As Small as a Man's Hand

On the afternoon of the presidential inauguration God showed me something. I want to share it with you. I was so quickened in my spirit by this vision that I actually sent out a small text to some of my closest brothers and sisters.  The text read, "1 Kings 18:44."  A few wrote back to me questioning what in the world I was trying to show them. That verse simply says, "The seventh time the servant reported, 'A cloud as small as a man's hand is rising from the sea.'" It was the picture the Holy Spirit showed me before I could feel discouragement or defeat over this inauguration - and I immediately understood what He was saying.

In 1 Kings 18 Elijah told Ahab that he heard the sound of a heavy rain. Because there was no rain, he told his servant to "go and look toward the sea." The servant kept going and looking and then coming back to report, "There is nothing there." Elijah sent him seven times, so finally the seventh time the servant has a report for Elijah. He does not report seeing a huge storm or a heavy rain or even dark clouds gathering. He reports, "A cloud as small as a man's hand is rising from the sea."  

Beloved, I know in my heart that God was showing me that even though things had not happened the WAY we wanted or as FAST as we wanted, there is great hope. There is a small cloud in the distance - and it is the promise of RAIN - even a Mighty Downpour of His Judgment!

I've learned an important lesson through this experience. There is only ONE we can look to for Justice, for Deliverance from Evil or for the answers to our prayers. It is not a man and it is not a political party. His ways are so much higher than our ways! (Isaiah 55:8-9). We only think we know how He is going to move - but as soon as we think we have it all figured out, He will do something completely different and He will probably make us WAIT for it.  God tests His people in times like this. He made his disciples wait four days until they could go to their deceased friend, Lazarus and his family. It was a divine delay, so that He could do a miracle of resurrection from the dead! He wants to know who will still praise Him when things didn't go like we thought they would. Who will still trust Him when they're feeling disappointed or betrayed? Who will be willing to wait on HIS perfect timing? Who will fall on their faces and repent for spending more time on the internet and less time in the Word?  I will. I promise you I will! I see a cloud as small as a man's hand and I don't know WHEN that cloud will fully bring the STORM OF JUSTICE that we have been waiting for and I don't now HOW.  But I do know THIS:
The LORD loves justice and will not forsake His faithful ones. They will be protected forever, but the offspring of the wicked will be cut off.  The mouth of the righteous man utters wisdom and his tongue speaks what is just. The Law of his God is in his heart and his feet do not slip. The wicked lie in wait for the righteous, seeking their very lives; but the LORD will not leave them in their power or let them be condemned when brought to trial. WAIT FOR THE LORD AND KEEP HIS WAY.  (Psalm 37:18-34)

Let us wait for the LORD, keeping His way, acknowledging His sovereignty, and believing that the little cloud will become a great Storm upon the wicked in His time - the SEVENTH time - the perfect time!

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