Bring Your Umbrella Faith

“‘The seventh time the servant reported, “A cloud as small as a man’s hand is rising from the sea.” So Elijah said, “Go and tell Ahab, ‘Hitch up your chariot and go down before the rain stops you.’” Meanwhile, the sky grew black with clouds, the wind rose, a heavy rain started falling and Ahab rode off to Jezreel. The power of the Lord came on Elijah and, tucking his cloak into his belt, he ran ahead of Ahab all the way to Jezreel.” 
1 Kings 18:44-46 (NIV) 

How much evidence do you need before you'll act on God's promises?  

For Elijah, it seemed like an impossible possibility. "A cloud as small as a man's hand." That’s all Elijah's servant spotted after Elijah had prayed seven times for it to rain. It wasn’t the storm of the century–just a tiny wisp on the horizon.  

But it was enough for Elijah to send word to King Ahab in today’s passage: "Hitch up your chariot and get moving before the rain stops you!" (1 Kings 18:44, NIV) 

When you have faith, you can see a flood in the first raindrop. Elijah didn't wait for the sky to turn black, he acted on the promise before its complete fulfillment. He brought his umbrella when there was hardly a cloud in the sky. 

Psychologists have a term called "object permanence"—that milestone when babies realize objects exist even when they can't see them. Spiritually speaking, many of us never reach that milestone with God. If we can't see Him working, we assume He isn't.  

But mature faith believes before it sees. 

I remember a church that held an all-night prayer meeting asking God to stop a bar from being built next door. That night, lightning struck the nearly-completed building and burned it to the ground. The bar owner sued the church, claiming they were responsible. The church said it wasn’t their fault. When the case went to trial, the judge made this observation: "No matter how this case is decided, one thing is clear: the bar owner believed in the power of prayer, and the church did not."  

But you can step into the kind of faith that acts, even before you see the results. What are you asking God for today? A healed relationship? Financial provision? Guidance for a major decision? Don't wait until you see the answer to act on God’s faithfulness to you.  

This week, take one tangible step that demonstrates you believe God is already working. Send that reconciliation text. Update your resume. Research that opportunity. 

Faith doesn't just wait for the rain—it brings an umbrella to a drought. 

Prayer: Father, Thank You for Help me live with the faith that when I ask according to Your Word, I can live like the promise is already happening. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.