Fire

can be destructive, but it can also illuminate. The prophet Elijah on

Mount Carmel stands as God’s representative before people who

worship other gods and people from Israel who can’t seem to choose.

Elijah calls them to decide between the Lord, the one true God, and

Baal, the false god.

Before

any decision is made, a contest is played out between Elijah and the

prophets of Baal as to who can bring fire from heaven down on a

sacrifice. The prophets of Baal prepare their sacrifice and cry out

for Baal’s attention, going so far as to cut themselves and bleed.

But there is no response, because Baal does not exist.

Then

Elijah pours water over the sacrifice he has prepared. The sacrifice

is totally drenched, and water also fills a trench around the altar.

Then Elijah prays to God. In response, the Lord sends fire so intense

that it burns up the sacrifice and the wood, stones, and soil and

evaporates the water in the trench. In this battle, it is clear who

has won. The people no longer waver. They cry out and acknowledge the

Lord as God.

We

serve the one true God, who hears us. We serve the God who is not

silent. We serve the God who was even willing to send his Son, Jesus

Christ, to die for us, securing our salvation. This God also turns to

us and calls us to follow him.