Daily Thought

The experience of Elijah with the prophets of Baal was a mountain top experience in more than one way. It was critical in his confrontation with the evils of Ahab and Jezebel. He commanded the gathering together of the prophets of Baal and the prophets of the groves on Mount Carmel. He built an altar of sacrifice to his God, the God of Israel; they built their altar to Baal. The God who answered by fire must be recognized as God.

Elijah stood alone for his God against all the representatives of pagan worship - one against 850. Yet we can learn that one is a majority, with God. At this critical time a stand for God was called for, and Elijah was God’s man. His challenge was crystal clear, ‘if the Lord be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him’. The pagan idols were entreated to come down. Elijah could afford to wait. Today the believer can remain calm if the certainties of faith are sure. The time came when heaven answered by fire. God was truly seen to be God.

Three thoughts can be ours for today. Elijah’s prayer was that of a faithful man. He was not ashamed to be counted for his God, although hopelessly outnumbered. Prayer, though unseen by others, can express our faithfulness to God in a world where He is rejected and blasphemed. ‘He that cometh to God must believe that he is‘, Heb. 11. 6. God values highly those who honour Him, and assures us that He will honour them.

We look at the prayer of a fearless man. Think of his courage. The sheer weight of numbers and the frenzy and fanaticism of the opposition must have been frightening. He waited while 850 voices literally burnt out. It is the ‘fear of man [that] bringeth a snare’, Prov. 29. 25. Elijah calmly held on and the fire fell. One lesson that we must learn in prayer is to leave the answers to God.

But it was also the prayer of a fervent man. Earnestness marked his mission as he stood for God. Examine again his attitude as he literally cried out to God, Jas. 5. 15-18. He held on to God; God held on to him.