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This passage: —

I. INDICATES THE BENT OF A GOOD MAN'S MIND. Both Ahab and Elijah "went up," but how different their purposes. One "went up" to eat and drink, the other "went up" to pray. One event may produce various impressions on different minds. These different impressions indicate the true character of men. The mind of the ungodly man is bent upon pleasure, the mind of the godly man on prayer. We may learn three things respecting a good man from this event.

1. The good man possesses an earnest spirit. Elijah needed rest.

2. The good man possesses a humble spirit. The victory Elijah had achieved produced an amazing influence on the minds of the spectators.

3. The good man possesses a devout spirit. He retired to pray. "He cast himself upon the earth, and put his face between his knees."

II. EXEMPLIFIES THE POWER OF A GOOD MAN'S FAITH. There are three things about Elijah's conduct that claim our attention.

1. His confidence. There were no indications of the approaching storm. The air was calm, and clear, and cloudless. Elijah had faith in God. He remembered Cherith, Zarephath, and Carmel.

2. His patience. Disappointed once, twice, even six times, he sends again. Elijah knew what God had promised He had power to perform. He waited.

3. His perseverance. Elijah had noted the rustling among the trees, but this did not set aside the necessity of prayer. Elijah prayed, continued in prayer. Don't let us be discouraged in our approaches to God.

III. RECORDS THE SUCCESS OF A GOOD MAN'S PRAYER. God had given one answer to prayer — fire had fallen from heaven and consumed the prepared sacrifice. Elijah prayed again. Continued mercies necessitate repeated supplication. To-day's prayer will not do for So-morrow's blessing. We know not the nature of Elijah's petition, but we see three advantages accruing therefrom.

1. There is a Visible indication of God's purposes. "Behold there ariseth a little cloud out of the sea, like a man's hand." God's children have the earliest intimation of God's purposes. "Like a man's hand." Small beginnings — in literature, science, and religion — often have important and far-reaching results.

2. There is a special warning for the king's preparation. "Go, say unto Ahab." Elijah had predicted that rain should come "according to his word."

3. There is a direct answer to a particular request. Elijah prayed for rain. The blessing was sent "while" he sought it. It was a great rain.

IV. REVEALS THE SOURCE OF A GOOD MAN'S STRENGTH. "And the hand of the Lord was on Elijah." Remember what Elijah had done! Think of his weariness and hunger, then picture him, outrunning for twenty miles the fleet steed of Ahab. From this superhuman event let us learn two things.

1. That God imparts strength to the good man for the performance of the most arduous duties. "The hand of the Lord was on Elijah." Man is a poor fragile thing, but God can gird him with infinite strength. God's influences touch the body, the mind, the heart.

2. The resources of infinite strength are within the reach of a good man. What God did for Elijah He can do for the Church — individuals.

(Preacher's Analyst.)

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KJV: And Elijah said unto Ahab, Get thee up, eat and drink; for there is a sound of abundance of rain.

WEB: Elijah said to Ahab, "Get up, eat and drink; for there is the sound of abundance of rain."