‘‘Then the fire of the Lord fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench.’’ 1 Kings 18:38

Elijah was a strong and dedicated prophet of God who never bent the principles of God.

That is why he (Elijah) plus God with him killed 550 people in his era (450 prophets of Baal and 102 soldiers). During Elijah’s era, there lived a wicked queen called Jezebel who was an idol worshipper. Her husband Ahab strongly supported her to a point that they forced many into worshipping Baal the false god. Because Elijah preached against this abominable practice, he was hated by Jezebel and the majority. During the contest, he looked odd as he was alone, but he knew that ‘’one plus God is better than all without God.’’

In the passage, you’ll realize that God demonstrated His power when it was Elijah’s turn. These were.

1. The futility of Baal was shown to its followers. (1 Kings 18:25-29)

2. Its Prophets were put to shame and death. (1 King 18:40, Romans 6:23)

3. The nation of Israel exalted God in praise. (1 King 18:39)

LESSONS

1. All religions are not the same

There is an assertion that all religions are the same and we are serving the same God. This is not true. John 14:6 says ‘’Jesus said I am the way, the truth and the life………”

2. Activities and enthusiasm are not signs of spirituality

There were lots of activities and enthusiasm from the prophets of Baal on mount camel, but all were not of God, so their efforts were sincerely wrong.

One can be doing a lot in church today but if your doings are not in line with God’s standards you are sincerely wrong.

3. Being a genuine born-again child of God qualifies you for God’s total support

In conclusion, if you want the consuming fire to always answer for you like He did in the case of Elijah,

• You must be desperate to stand against the wave of evil practices.

• You must pledge allegiance to the God of consuming fire.

• You must be willing to put God above all other interests and loyalties.

God will give us divine grace to pursue, overtake and recover all lost opportunities without fail in Jesus’ name.