Focus: Go Again and Again! (Pt.3)

Text: 1Kgs.18:43

"And said to his servant, Go up now, look toward the sea. And he went up, and looked, and said, There is nothing. And he said, GO AGAIN SEVEN TIMES."

"Go again seven times." That is the instruction you must comply with if you really want to succeed it. Keep going and keep doing. Never give up until you succeed.

Miracles often happen through repeated efforts of faith. The Scripture says concerning Elisha, "Then he returned, and walked in the house to and; and went up, and stretched himself upon him: and the child sneezed seven times, and the child opened his eyes" (2Kgs.4:35). Before this final effort that brought the boy back to life, the Scripture says, "And he went up, and lay upon the child, and put his mouth upon his mouth, and his eyes upon his eyes, and his hands upon his hands: and he stretched himself upon the child; and the flesh of the child waxed warm" (2Kgs.4:34). He kept at it until the boy's spirit revived, his body received the warmth of divine touch, and he bounced back to life. As he sneezed seven times, his life was perfectly restored.

Concerning Naaman, Elijah told him to go dip himself seven times in the Jordan River, and he would experience the healing power of God. The Scripture says, "Then went he down, and dipped himself seven times in Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God: and his flesh came again like unto the flesh of a little child, and he was clean" (2Kgs.5:14). By going seven times, Elijah's servant saw the miracle of rain take place. Consider also how the walls of Jericho fell down. The author of Hebrews says, "By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days" (Heb.11:30). 

The author makes it clear that walking around Jericho seven times on the seventh day was an act of faith. They took God's word seriously and acted on it faithfully. Joshua writes, "And it came to pass on the seventh day, that they rose early about the dawning of the day, and compassed the city after the same manner seven times: only on that day they compassed the city seven times" (Josh.6:15). The people kept on going round Jericho until the walls of the city fell down, and God gave his people victory.

By sneezing seven times, the dead boy miraculously came back to life. By dipping himself seven times in the Jordan river, Naaman was cured of his leprosy. By going round Jericho over and over again, its walls collapsed, and Israel possessed the land. Often, it is by sustained and determined effort that we can encounter the God of miracle in our lives. 

God always honors unwavering, persevering and persistent faith.

The psalmist declares, "The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times" (Ps.12:6). God takes over man's words and makes them his own by the process of divine purification. God impregnates the human language and elevates it by using it to communicate His own mind to His people. 

He takes out the dross in our language and makes Himself known by it. He refines it and uses it to reveal His truths and purposes.

The psalmist says, "Seven times a day do I praise thee because of thy righteous judgments" (Ps.119:164). This is perfect praise. It is praise that keeps going up to God all day. Unceasing praise. The heart overflows and ever flows with praise, and the tongue can't withhold it.

In the matter of forgiveness, we read, "Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven" (Mt.18:21,22). Luke puts it this way, "And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him" (Lk.17:4). 

Forgive, and keep forgiving. Love, and keep loving. Give, and keep giving. Do good, and keep doing good. Pray, and keep praying. 

Godly action is not a one time thing; it's a daily occurrence. Being and doing must align and continue to function together.

Finally, Moses writes, "The LORD shall cause thine enemies that rise up against thee to be smitten before thy face: they shall come out against thee one way, and flee before thee seven ways" (Dt.28:7). We, as God's people, are condemned to victory, and our enemies are doomed to defeat and failure. We are perpetual victors. Our victory in Christ is complete and eternal. We are certain of divine defense and protection. 

God makes our environment too hot for our enemies. Satan is never comfortable in our space. He looks for escape routes. Don't you ever make the devil feel at home in your life and in your space. Your space is sacred.

Let's go again seven times; we shall surely find what we are looking for.

by Bishop Moses E. Peter