1 Kings 18:30-39

The prophets of Baal couldn’t get the fire lit.  They did all they could all morning to try and set the offering on fire but their gods were a no show.  Elijah then tells the people “enough of that – now it is my turn”.  Sounds a little cocky doesn’t it.  At first glance maybe, but it sure is confident.  Elijah takes control because he knows who is in control – God Himself.  Elijah rebuilds the altar that the prophets of Baal had knocked down during their ranting.  He builds a trench around it and has the people drench the altar and ox lying on it with four buckets of water.  Then he has them “do it again” twice more – three times in total or 12 buckets filled with water which “drenched” the altar and “the trench was filled with water” as well.  That is more than a little confidence guys.  Elijah “prayed….make it known right now….reveal to this people that you are God, the true God….giving these people a chance at repentance”.  Elijah asks God to reveal Himself to the people.  This is a pretty major request – after all the altar is soaked with water and surrounded by a trench full of it.  Now Elijah wants fire.  Check this out:  “Immediately…fire fell…burned up the offering…wood…stones…dirt…water”.  God didn’t just give Elijah fire as a proof that He indeed was there – he burned up everything around that altar as well.  Can you see it?  This is a mud pit and God fries it dry and burns up the stones.  That is some kind of heat guys.  The result is “awed worship” from the people and them “exclaiming, God is the true God”.  Elijah sets up the situation so God could be glorified.  It was not about him at all.  It was all pointing to God and His power.  No one could be confused on this.  Elijah made it very clear who was in control and God came through.  God showed up and showed Himself strong.  What is going on in your life that God needs to be in control of?  Where do you need to get out of the way and let God have the steering wheel?  He is there.  The same God of Elijah is the One we serve today men.  We just have to be connected.  How – “Elijah prayed”.  How simple yet powerful those two words.  God wants to answer – are you asking??