We can all probably think of a time when we’ve been let down by someone. When people have failed to keep their promises to us. It hurts and we’re disappointed. But when God promises something, He will fulfil it. Sometimes we’ve got to do something before His promises are fulfilled in our lives. It hadn’t rained for three and a half years in Israel, but Elijah carried out God’s instruction: ‘Go and present yourself to Ahab, and I will send rain on the land’ (1 Kings 18:1 NIV). After Elijah’s confrontation with Baal’s prophets on Mount Carmel, he told King Ahab, ‘Go, eat and drink, for there is the sound of a heavy rain’ (1 Kings 18:41 NIV). Ahab ate and drank, and Elijah fell on his face in prayer. And soon the desperately needed rains came. Elijah practiced four simple steps that we can practice too: 1) Believe the promise. 2) Do what God is asking you to do. 3) Pray persistently, believing God will keep His Word. 4) Be patient. Elijah sent his servant out seven times to look for signs of rain, never once doubting God’s promise. On the seventh time the rains began. Those times that we need to fulfil conditions, talk to God and wait expectantly for His promise to come into our lives, are times that we can become closer with God. We learn to trust Him and become more aware of His timing and works in our lives. He will never let you down or disappoint you. He will honour His word to you. ‘I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it.’
What now?
Write down any promises that God’s made to you, along with the date and any instructions He’s given you. Whenever you complete an instruction, tick it off the list. Write down the date that the promise is fulfilled (be prepared to wait months or years for some of them).