Go Back: A Call to Persistence in Prayer

The number seven represents completion and divine perfection. Elijah did not give up when the first six checks yielded nothing. The delay tested and refined his faith.

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.

Six "nothings" can never cancel one "Yes" from God.

Elijah simply persevered

Three and a half years of drought gripped Israel. God promised Elijah, "I will send rain on the face of the earth" (1 Kings 18:1). Elijah climbed Carmel, bowed with his face between his knees, and prayed.

Each report of "nothing" met a fresh command: "Go back." Elijah did not change tactics, location, or petition. He simply persevered. The seventh time, a cloud "as small as a man's hand" appeared, signalling the downpour to come.

Child of God, when nothing appears, go back immediately. Pray again, speak the promise aloud, and refuse despair.