[Sermon]: Going Higher (part 37) – Pastor Adeboye

Topic: Going Higher (part 37)

Text: 1 Kings 18:41

The first time Elijah heard from God about the lack of rain was in 1 Kings 18:1.

All God asked him to do was to go show himself to Ahab, and God would send rain.

Yet, there was a lot of drama that happened in between that visit to Ahab and when the rain eventually fell.

There was much-hidden treasure in the situation that God had not yet revealed to Elijah.

Lessons to learn:

• God doesn't show you the whole picture at once.

Isaiah 28: 10 & 13, Psalm 37: 23-24, Genesis 17:1

☆ God will not show you the whole picture, so don't outrun Him.

+ God told Moses to strike the rock in Exodus 17: 1-6

But then, He told Moses to speak to the Rock in Numbers 20: 1-13

1 Corinthians 13: 9-10

☆ God is the only One who knows it all, and has seen it all. John 1:1, 3:1

☆ He speaks a little at a time.

+ He told Samuel to go anoint a son of Jesse. 1 Samuel 16: 1-13

But Samuel didn't ask God for the next step, or who that son was, after he arrived at Jesse's house.

☆ When God asks you to wait, wait!

When He has guided you to a particular place but He is silent on the next steps, wait!

1 Samuel 13: 1-14

• One of the biggest lessons you must learn as you go higher with God is 'Be patient'

☆ God may delay, but He will arrive. Mark 5: 21-43

Love may be delayed, but He will arrive.

☆ A delay from God does not mean denial.

☆ Between God's promise and manifestation, there is a time gap. Genesis 8: 20-22

☆ There is a time between when you sow a seed, and when you harvest.

☆ Once God has spoken, it is done.

☆ When God speaks, it is already done, even if the manifestation is delayed.

☆ This is true for an individual, and also true for a nation.

Genesis 15: 12-14, Exodus 12

☆ When God gives you a vision, wait for it.

Habbakuk 2: 1-4

☆ When God makes you a promise, you're the only one who can make Him change His mind. 1 Samuel 2:30

☆ God can change His mind concerning His promise to you if you backslide, and fail to repent.