[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":4},["ShallowReactive",2],{"reading-0429":3},"APRIL 29\r\nElias was a man subject to like passions as we are (James 5:17).\r\nThank God for that! He got under a juniper tree, as you and I have\r\noften done; he complained and murmured, as we have often done; was unbelieving, as we have often been. But that was not the case when\r\nhe really got into touch with God. Though \"a man subject to like\r\npassions as we are,\" \"he prayed praying.\" It is sublime in the  original-not \"earnestly,\" but \"he prayed in prayer.\" He kept on praying. What is the lesson here? You must keep praying.\r\nCome up on the top of Carrael, and see that remarkable parable of\r\nFaith and Sight It was not the descent of the fire that now was n\r\n, but the descent of the flood; and the man that can command the\r\nfire can command the flood by the same means and methods. We are told that he bowed himself to the ground with his face between his\r\nknees; that is, shutting out all sights and sounds. He was putting himself in a position where, beneath his mantle, he could neither see nor hear what was going forward.\r\nHe said to his servant \"Go and take an observation.\" He went and came back, and said-how sublimely brief! one word\"Nothing!\"\r\nWhat do we do under such circumstances?\r\nWe say, \"It is just as I expected!\" and we give up praying, Did\r\n\r\nElijah? No, he said, \"Go again.\" His servant again came back and said, \"Nothing!\" \"Go again.\" \"Nothing!\"\r\nBy and by he came back, and said, \"There is a little cloud like a\r\nman's hand.\" A man's hand had been raised in supplication, and\r\npresently down came the rain; and Ahab had not time to get back to the gate of Samaria with all his fast steeds. This is a parable of\r\nFaith and Sight-faith shutting itself up with God; sight taking\r\nobservations and seeing nothing; faith going right on, and \"praying in prayer,\" with utterly hopeless reports from sight\r\nDo you know how to pray that way, how to pray prevailingly.? Let sight give as discouraging reports as it may, but pay no attention  to these. The living God is still in the heavens and even to delay   is part of His goodness. --Arthur T. Pierson.\r\nEach of three boys gave a definition of faith which is an   illustration of the tenacity of faith. The first boy said, \"It is\r\ntaking hold of Christ\"; the second, \"Keeping hold\"; and the third, \"Not letting go.\"",1783499792965]