Go again seven times (1 Kings 18:43) - c.h. spurgeon

Success is certain when the Lord has promised it. 

Although you may have pleaded month after month without evidence of answer, 
     it is not possible that the Lord should be deaf 
          when his people are earnest in a matter which concerns his glory. 

The prophet on the top of Carmel continued to wrestle with God, 
and never for a moment 
gave way 
to a fear that he should be non-suited in Jehovah's courts. 

Six times the servant returned, but on each occasion no word was spoken but 
“Go again.” 

We must not dream of unbelief, but hold to our faith even to seventy times seven. 

Faith 
sends 
expectant hope 
to look from Carmel's brow, 
and if nothing is beheld, 
she sends 
again 
and again. 

So far from being crushed by repeated disappointment, 
     faith is animated to plead more fervently with her God. 

She is humbled, but not abashed: 
     her groans are deeper, 
          and her sighings more vehement, 
                but she never relaxes her hold or stays her hand. 

It would be more agreeable to flesh and blood to have a speedy answer, but believing souls have learned to be submissive, and to find it good to wait for as well as upon the Lord. 

Delayed answers often set the heart searching itself, 
     and so lead to contrition and spiritual reformation: 
deadly blows are thus struck at our corruption, 
     and the chambers of imagery are cleansed. 

The great danger is lest men should faint, and miss the blessing. 

Reader, do not fall into that sin, but continue in prayer and watching. 

At last the little cloud was seen, the sure forerunner of torrents of rain, 
     and even so with you, the token for good shall surely be given, 
          and you shall rise as a prevailing prince 
                to enjoy the mercy you have sought. 

Elijah was a man of like passions with us: 
his power with God did not lie in his own merits. 

If his believing prayer availed so much, why not yours? 

Plead the precious blood 
     with unceasing importunity, 
          and it shall be with you according to your desire.


"Go and look toward the sea," he told his servant.  And he went up and looked.  "There is nothing there," he said.  Seven times Elijah said, "Go back."  The seventh time the servant reported, "A cloud as small as a man's hand is rising from the sea." ... Meanwhile, the sky grew black with clouds, the wind rose, a heavy rain started falling.
1 Kings 18:43-45