The prophets of Baal took to Elijah’s proposal like pigs to slop. Elijah challenged the Baal followers to a contest on the top of Mount Carmel. They would call out to Baal, Elijah would call out to the Jehovah, and the deity that answered would show up as the true God.

The devotees of Baal whirled around their alter. They called out, shouted and begged. Slashing themselves , they added blood and pain to their entreaties. They exhibited great faith. These champions begged from morning to afternoon, under a hot sun, but to no avail—there was no response, no one answered, no one paid attention.

Then Elijah took center stage. After preparing his sacrifice and dousing it with buckets and buckets of water, Elijah asked the Lord to show himself. 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.

The onlookers fell on their faces in fear and awe and worship. No decision about God left.

Which leaves me to wonder, what gods I look to for answers which are no gods at all? Where do I put my trust apart from the Lord? My own perceived wisdom, the whisperings of the world, the cravings in my gut? What does is mean to live a good life—overflowing bank accounts or strong relationships with those around me?

Only one God rules this world. The Lord responds in his time and his ways. Fire may not shoot down from heaven when I pray, but I can rest assured that the Lord pays attention.

I Kings 18 in Through the Bible in 2024

Photo by Jeremy Thomas