Standing Up to a Nation
“Every time we obey God, He reveals more of His character to us.”
1 Kings 18:16-24 (NLT)
So Obadiah went to tell Ahab that Elijah had come, and Ahab went out to meet Elijah. When Ahab saw him, he exclaimed, “So, is it really you, you troublemaker of Israel?”
“I have made no trouble for Israel,” Elijah replied. “You and your family are the troublemakers, for you have refused to obey the commands of the Lord and have worshiped the images of Baal instead. Now summon all Israel to join me at Mount Carmel, along with the 450 prophets of Baal and the 400 prophets of Asherah who are supported by Jezebel.”
So Ahab summoned all the people of Israel and the prophets to Mount Carmel. Then Elijah stood in front of them and said, “How much longer will you waver, hobbling between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him! But if Baal is God, then follow him!” But the people were completely silent.
Then Elijah said to them, “I am the only prophet of the Lord who is left, but Baal has 450 prophets. Now bring two bulls. The prophets of Baal may choose whichever one they wish and cut it into pieces and lay it on the wood of their altar, but without setting fire to it. I will prepare the other bull and lay it on the wood on the altar, but not set fire to it. Then call on the name of your god, and I will call on the name of the Lord. The god who answers by setting fire to the wood is the true God!” And all the people agreed.
Reflection
God commissioned Elijah to proclaim a drought over all of Israel in response to King Ahab’s idolatry (1 Kings 17:1). Elijah was commanded to do many things that magnified God’s glory, but nowhere in the text was he told to wage a dramatic contest to prove God’s existence. As far as we can tell, that was Elijah’s idea, and it was a faith-building moment for this revered prophet. Every believer needs faith-building moments, where confidence in God meets the opportunity to bear witness to our beliefs. The only path to that intersection is through obedience.
Elijah played a prominent role in biblical history. His prayers resurrected a child. He had the unique privilege of getting whisked away to heaven without experiencing physical death. His credentials are above reproach, yet the Apostle James said he had the same nature we have (James 5:17). He had weaknesses everyone can relate to. What could account for the powerful ministry that God entrusted to Elijah? For what reason would Elijah bet his life that God would show up and confirm what the nation of Israel already knew?
The answers are found in Elijah’s obedience to God. Every time we obey God, He reveals more of His character to us. A consistent pattern of obedience builds in us the faith to trust God in every circumstance. Like Elijah, we will face situations that require us to step out in faith where our only safety net will be how well we know Him. These are the faith-building moments that draw us closer to God so we can trust deeper, live bolder, and dream bigger. Changing the world begins with obedience to God.
Action Step
Think of a faith-building moment you have experienced in your walk with the Lord. At that time, how confident were you that God would show Himself strong on your behalf? How confident are you of that fact today?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for revealing more of Your divine nature to me every time I call upon Your name. May my faith in You grow stronger with each trial that comes my way. Amen!
So Obadiah went to tell Ahab that Elijah had come, and Ahab went out to meet Elijah. When Ahab saw him, he exclaimed, “So, is it really you, you troublemaker of Israel?”
“I have made no trouble for Israel,” Elijah replied. “You and your family are the troublemakers, for you have refused to obey the commands of the Lord and have worshiped the images of Baal instead. Now summon all Israel to join me at Mount Carmel, along with the 450 prophets of Baal and the 400 prophets of Asherah who are supported by Jezebel.”
So Ahab summoned all the people of Israel and the prophets to Mount Carmel. Then Elijah stood in front of them and said, “How much longer will you waver, hobbling between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him! But if Baal is God, then follow him!” But the people were completely silent.
Then Elijah said to them, “I am the only prophet of the Lord who is left, but Baal has 450 prophets. Now bring two bulls. The prophets of Baal may choose whichever one they wish and cut it into pieces and lay it on the wood of their altar, but without setting fire to it. I will prepare the other bull and lay it on the wood on the altar, but not set fire to it. Then call on the name of your god, and I will call on the name of the Lord. The god who answers by setting fire to the wood is the true God!” And all the people agreed.
Reflection
God commissioned Elijah to proclaim a drought over all of Israel in response to King Ahab’s idolatry (1 Kings 17:1). Elijah was commanded to do many things that magnified God’s glory, but nowhere in the text was he told to wage a dramatic contest to prove God’s existence. As far as we can tell, that was Elijah’s idea, and it was a faith-building moment for this revered prophet. Every believer needs faith-building moments, where confidence in God meets the opportunity to bear witness to our beliefs. The only path to that intersection is through obedience.
Elijah played a prominent role in biblical history. His prayers resurrected a child. He had the unique privilege of getting whisked away to heaven without experiencing physical death. His credentials are above reproach, yet the Apostle James said he had the same nature we have (James 5:17). He had weaknesses everyone can relate to. What could account for the powerful ministry that God entrusted to Elijah? For what reason would Elijah bet his life that God would show up and confirm what the nation of Israel already knew?
The answers are found in Elijah’s obedience to God. Every time we obey God, He reveals more of His character to us. A consistent pattern of obedience builds in us the faith to trust God in every circumstance. Like Elijah, we will face situations that require us to step out in faith where our only safety net will be how well we know Him. These are the faith-building moments that draw us closer to God so we can trust deeper, live bolder, and dream bigger. Changing the world begins with obedience to God.
Action Step
Think of a faith-building moment you have experienced in your walk with the Lord. At that time, how confident were you that God would show Himself strong on your behalf? How confident are you of that fact today?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for revealing more of Your divine nature to me every time I call upon Your name. May my faith in You grow stronger with each trial that comes my way. Amen!
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