Wood. Stones.
Elijah went before the people and said, “How long will you waver between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him. 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.” Then the fire of the Lord fell and burned up the sacrifice, the wood, the stones and the soil, and also licked up the water in the trench.
1 Kings 18:21, 36-38
We continue our series of different types of atmospheric conditions used in The Bible. Today’s story focuses on fire which can be influenced by weather elements like wind, temperature, and humidity. In this story, drought, or the absence of rain plays a key role.
Elijah versus Baal.
Elijah was a prophet in ancient Israel during the reign of King Ahab. Baal was a false god to whom the Israelites were worshipping. In this biblical account, God used drought and fire to punish the idolatrous Israelites to prove supremacy over Baal.
Let The Contest Begin!
Elijah, a devout follower of God, foretold a severe drought due to their idolatry. During the drought, God commanded Elijah to demonstrate His supremacy over Baal by challenging the prophets of Baal to a contest on Mount Carmel. Both groups built altars and placed sacrifices upon them. Despite the prophets of Baal calling upon their god to send fire, nothing happened.
In contrast, when Elijah prayed to God, fire descended from heaven and consumed his offering, showcasing God’s power and reinforcing His position as the one true God.
Lessons Learned
#1. Unshakable Faith Leads to Mighty Acts
#2. Listen to What Your Gut Says
#3. There is Power in Prayer
Unwavering Faith.
There is no doubt about it. Elijah had unwavering faith that God would win the battle with Baal. Faith gives us the courage to face life’s daily challenges. Believing that God will guide me through life brings me comfort. How about you?
Courage.
Elijah’s bravery in standing alone against the crowd is inspiring. Going against popular opinions is typically dicey, for sure. Yet maybe it is time we stop going with the flow and stand up to what truly inspires us – like doing good in the world.
Persistent Prayer.
In this story, Elijah’s persistence in prayer highlights the importance of staying connected with God through prayer. God wants to commune with us through daily prayer. Do you?
Perfect Timing
Reflecting on the story, God’s plan unfolds in His perfect timing. Learning to be patient is hard work. God does answer prayer by saying yes, no, or wait. Even if God’s timing differs from ours, it’s vital to trust God. His divine plan will be more than whatever you could imagine.
Take a deep breath.
Let’s breathe in the power of prayer and exhale impatience.
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I and Thou Reflections 