As usual there’s too much going on to cover everything: Elijah confronts Ahab and has a showdown with the prophets of Baal, Israel repents, and God sends rain clouds to end the three year drought.
“…and with the stones [Elijah] built an altar in the name of the Lord. And he made a trench about the altar… And he put the wood in order and cut the bull in pieces and laid it on the wood. And he said, ‘Fill four jars with water and pour it on the burnt offering and on the wood.’ …And the water ran around the altar and filled the trench also with water. … Then the fire of the Lord fell and consumed the burnt offering and the wood and the stones and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench. And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces and said, ‘The Lord, he is God; the Lord, he is God.’ ” (v32-39 abr)
After three years of drought Elijah is commanded to confront Ahab and his false prophets. 450 prophets of Baal, plus 400 prophets of Ashera, attempt to call down fire on their altar. After several hours of crying out and performing pagan rituals, nothing happens. Elijah prepares an altar with sacrifice to the Lord, soaks it and submerges it in water, and then prays. God sends fire from heaven which completely consumes the alter and everything around it, including the water.
Up to this point Elijah has said and done everything according to the Lord’s leading. Because of his obedience, an entire nation is led to repentance, and evil is purged from the land.
What is the Lord calling you to do today? Is there anything specific, or perhaps He is wanting general obedience via Christlike behavior? How can God work in and through you today, and make a difference in the lives of those around you? Every morning when I sit down to read and write, I pray that my obedience would be glorifying to Him, and that His words shared through me would encourage others to glorify Him as well.
Though it’s possible when we obey and glorify God we would be the only one doing it, it’s also very likely those around us will see (and hopefully glorify Him as well). Unless we live alone on a deserted island, our obedience to God will not go unnoticed. I strongly encourage us to praise God, obey the promptings of the Spirit, and watch with amazement as God works through us. Who knows? We may see God save souls through us and our obedience – we won’t know until we obey.
Father God, our Everlasting Lord, holy, holy, holy is Your name. All heaven and earth declare You sovereignty, and we rejoice at the sound of Your voice. Please continue to speak to us, to guide our every word and work, that we may glorify You. May others see our joyful service, and seek You in light of Your glory and grace. To You alone be all honor, glory and praise, forever and ever, amen.
~ Conqueror in Training