FAITH CAPSULE: The God of Elijah answered by fire.

1 Kings 18:20-46, 19:1-3

Word of God is fire. The fire of God is power. Elijah demonstrated the power of the Word of God to the glory of God.
The power of God through Elijah overcame the Prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel because of their powerless god. Powerless god is an embarrassment to the people of Baal. Elijah requested the prophets of Baal for sacrificial burnt offering as he commanded, “…you call on the name of your gods, and I will call on the name of the Lord; and the God who answers by fire, He is God. So all the people answered and said, “It is well spoken.” (1 Kings 18: 24-25) The god of the prophets could not show up. Elijah mocked and ridiculed the prophet of Baal and their God as he called on His God for power demonstration. The God of Elijah answered by fire. Having embarrassed the four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal, Elijah caused them to be overtaken for execution at the Brook of Kishon. Elijah’s exploits were the effect of God’s intervention because Elijah stood for righteousness.
What do you stand for? Is your congregation gathering in the name of the God of Elijah? Are you demonstrating the power of the God of Elijah or the power of the god of the prophets? Powerless congregation will not prevail and it heads in the way of destruction just like prophets of Baal. After the prophets of Baal’s demonstration of lack of power, Elijah had them rounded up and they were all executed. When Jezebel, the wife of King Ahab heard what Elijah did to the prophets of Baal, she threatened to kill Elijah. Elijah ran for his life. It is written in 1Kings 19:3, “And when he saw that, he arose and ran for his life, and went to Beersheba, which belongs to Judah, and left his servant there.” One would have expected Elijah to continue to walk in the power of God. However, despite the power of God in the life of Elijah, he did not walk; he ran. Have you been running where you should be walking? Elijah had experienced the hand of God earlier when he was to be walking; the hand of God came upon him and put him ahead in 1Kings 18:46, “Then the hand of the LORD came upon Elijah; and he girded up his loins and ran ahead of Ahab to the entrance of Jezebel.” God is a consistent God and He will not leave you nor forsake you if meditating the Word of God day and night. Despite the power of God in Elijah’s life, he knew not to give enemy the chance of upper hand over his life.

Prayer for today: Ask for the miracle hand of God to come upon you.