He promised rain.

I've been working on a project for over a year now.

It's been inspiring, beautiful and at all times, God-defined.

Since the beginning, this project was in His plan.

He dreamed it,

orchestrated it,

and been patient while I fretted about it.

Lately, the entire project is coming to a screeching halt.

Over a technical difficulty.

I've had to place this project in the hands of others.

The difficulty is above my area of expertise.

I keep going back to God in prayer.

"Is this what you want?"

"Did I hear you right the first time?"

"Maybe I wasn't listening quite right."

I was reading this morning in 1 Kings.

Where Elijah takes on the 400 prophets of Baal at Mt. Carmel.

It's one of those stand up and cheer moments of the Bible.

Drought in the land.

Pagan gods.

False prophets.

Two rams on two alters.

Elijah taunting the prophets of Baal because Baal sends no fire.

And at one request by Elijah, he praises God's name and fire falls from heaven

God consumes His alter in flames.

WHOA!

Elijah must have felt like quite the spiritual champion of the day.

But if you go back and read the first verse in Chapter 18,

God promised rain.

Not fire.

Right after the Baal prophets are defeated,

in verse 41, Elijah tells King Ahab to go feast and drink

"for there is the sound of a heavy rain."

As Ahab is headed off to party,

Elijah returns to the mountain to pray.

As he is praying, he informs his servant to go to the sea and look for rain.

The servant returns with nothing.

"Seven times Elijah said, 'Go back'" 1Kings 18:43

Really? Seven times.

I think after the first time I would begin to whine a little.

I wonder if Elijah was silently pleading with God,

reminding Him of that rain He promised.

I know I have been pleading.

A LOT lately.

Too much.

I know that my project is where it needs to be.

That God is who He is no matter where I am.

And how little my faith has been.

The story of Elijah on Mt. Carmel ends like this:

"The seventh time the servant reported,

'A cloud as small as a man's hand is rising from the sea.'"

Elijah informs the servant to run to Ahab,

have Ahab hitch up his chariot

before the rain stops him."

Immediately, in verse 45:

"Meanwhile, the sky grew black with clouds,

the wind rose,

a heavy rain came on

and Ahab rode off to Jezreel.

The power of the Lord came upon Elijah

and tucking his cloak into his belt,

he ran ahead of Ahab

all the way to Jezreel."

Now I'm going to have to wait 'til heaven to ask Elijah

which was a more awesome moment.

Either watching fire fall from heaven

or by beating a man in a chariot while running on foot.

But for now, I'm off to pray for my project.

And remind God that He promised rain.