I was reading the Scripture about Elijah and the prophets of
Baal in 1 Kings 18 this morning and I thought of sharing a few things.
So now the altar is set.Elijah gives the prophets the opportunity to win.He lets them choose their 'favorite' bull and allows them to take their sweet (well am not sure if it was sweet) time to call on their god.They call on their god till noon and no response.I found myself comparing their frustration to that one gets when you ask for a service and you get the message Server not found.
So now the altar is set.Elijah gives the prophets the opportunity to win.He lets them choose their 'favorite' bull and allows them to take their sweet (well am not sure if it was sweet) time to call on their god.They call on their god till noon and no response.I found myself comparing their frustration to that one gets when you ask for a service and you get the message Server not found.
Elijah then asks them in Verse 27.
“Shout louder!” he said. “Surely he is a god! Perhaps he is deep in thought, or busy, or traveling. Maybe he is sleeping and must be awakened.”
As if they took the advise seriously the prophets actually
cried aloud .They even started cutting themselves.They continued their
theatrics and gymnastics till evening to no avail.
Then came Elijah’s turn. He tried to make the battle tougher for himself by daring the prophets to pour a lot of water on both the wood and the sacrifice.The prophets must have been eagerly waiting for Elijah to fail.Yet Elijah made a simple prayer. In Vs 36-37
Then came Elijah’s turn. He tried to make the battle tougher for himself by daring the prophets to pour a lot of water on both the wood and the sacrifice.The prophets must have been eagerly waiting for Elijah to fail.Yet Elijah made a simple prayer. In Vs 36-37
“Lord, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, let it be known today that you are God in Israel and that I am your servant and have done all these things at your command.
Answer me, Lord, answer me, so these people will know that you, Lord, are God, and that you are turning their hearts back again.”
Immediately the fire came down and consumed the sacrifice.And
the people fell and worshipped God
What stood out for me as I read through this story is the fact that God is invincible. That which took the prophets of Baal hours and theatrics to not achieve took Elijah only a prayer to conquer and surpass the expectation
What stood out for me as I read through this story is the fact that God is invincible. That which took the prophets of Baal hours and theatrics to not achieve took Elijah only a prayer to conquer and surpass the expectation
I was reminded of Daniel 3:17-18
Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter.
If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”
It must have taken Elijah a lot of faith in God for him to
challenge the Baal prophets and that is the same kind of faith that we are to
have .It was strong confidence in God that gave the three men the audacity to look at the
king straight in the eye and let him know that they would not bow to his god. Throughout
the Bible whenever people dared to fully trust God, He came through for them.
Perhaps as Elijah mocked the prophets, the Baal might have actually been busy traveling or asleep. Isn't it relieving to know that we can always get through
to God? That He never sleeps He never slumbers He is never too busy to hear us.
He is never on safari.
Friend, I thought of reminding you of God; The Almighty God. That as David says He is an ever present help in times of need.You might be in a situation that has left you wondering where is God. Well the truth is God is right there with you and He will see you through it.He ain't on break.
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