Cue the following: a wicked king, a brave prophet, provisions delivered by ravens, a showdown between heavenly powers, and divine fire and rain. Oh, and pass the popcorn, please.
No, this is not the plot summary of a Hollywood blockbuster. It’s a battle between idolatry and faithfulness found in 1 Kings. This account certainly doesn’t lack drama. The prophet Elijah has been called by God to confront King Ahab. Idolatry had infiltrated Israel as this unfaithful king promoted the worship of Baal, a pagan god of fertility and rain.
God chose Elijah, whose name means “Yahweh is my God,” to be His mouthpiece to His people. But Elijah’s name was also a heads-up, a signal to His uncompromising message: there is only one God, Yahweh, and only He should be worshiped.
A clear line is drawn as the showdown reaches its climax. Two altars piled high with wood are assembled, and a sacrificial, slaughtered bull is placed atop each altar. One is presented to Baal and the other to Yahweh. Elijah instructs, “Then you call on the name of your god, and I will call on the name of the LORD. The God who answers by fire, he is God” (1 Kings 18:24). The false prophets of Baal call out to their god, shouting, dancing, and working themselves into a frenzy—but not a peep nor a spark comes from Baal.
Then, to further prove his point, Elijah has his altar drenched with water three times before he humbly prays that God would answer and turn the hearts of the people back to Himself (1 Kings 18:37). Of course, the fire of the Lord does fall, completely incinerating the offering and its altar. But God does more than answer with intense fire; He releases a heavy rain, ending years of drought. The one, true God is revealed. At the same time, the false god of fertility is exposed as impotent, and the false god of storms is all washed up.
What a picture of mercy! After their rejection of Him, God could have brought punishment, but instead He shows compassion. His people had turned from Him, forgotten His love and provision, and abandoned His commands. Yet, God doesn’t turn away, nor is He is silent or indifferent to them. He answers and gathers His people back to Himself.
If I’m honest, I can relate; I, too, can work myself into a frenzy seeking action from false, futile gods. I may not dance for Baal, but how often do I bow down to money, image, achievement, reputation, health, or people pleasing? Any and all things can function as an idol, if we place them ahead of God. But don’t be fooled: every idol demands worship, and in the end delivers nothing. God alone should be our source of identity and worth, safety and hope.
I’m ashamed to admit that in the morning, before my feet even hit the floor, my mind spins with what I think I must accomplish. My anxiety about managing my world revs up. Ignoring God and depending solely on myself is as tempting as hitting the snooze button. I so easily forget God and His commands, promises, and provision. Is it any wonder that my efforts can seem impotent and my plans washed up?
But God doesn’t leave me with my head hanging down in shame. Instead of rejecting or abandoning me, He rains down mercy as He speaks to me through His Word and gently turns my face back toward Him. God is not silent, and He does not turn away.
Patti Sauls lives in Nashville, Tennessee, with her husband Scott and daughters, Abby and Ellie, where they serve alongside the people of Christ Presbyterian Church. Prior to living in Nashville, the Sauls planted churches in Kansas City and Saint Louis and served at New York City’s Redeemer Presbyterian Church. A trained speech therapist, Patti also enjoys serving behind the scenes, hiking with friends, and reading good books.
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19 thoughts on "The Ministry of Elijah"
This devotional was mind blowing
Elijah is steadfast in his purpose and calling – his relationship with God is so personal and full of confidence! He knows what God will do and he does/speaks accordingly. I think this is what God is asking of us all when he tells us to seek Him with all our heart, soul, and strength. He wants us to know him (and him to know us) so well that we can speak on his behalf. Where did Elijah get this from? What an inspiration!
God is so merciful and forgiving!! Anytime I turn away He is so patient to come alongside me and remind me of who He is and who I am in Him through His word. His never ending mercy and grace for me will never not amaze me. Even as I run to other things and turn my face away, He is still running after me. Love just seeing this play out in how he pursues His people here in 1 Kings by revealing His power and then reminding Elijah of His love and provision in a one on one context. So beautiful!!
I love this devotional today. It really hits hone with idols in our own lives.
Such a powerful few chapters and message!!
I can relate so much to Elijah’s emotional and spiritual exhaustion when he runs away from Jezebel. He had followed God and done exactly what he should and yet here’s another threat. It can get so tiring being consistently faithful and getting so much push back from the world around you. I am so thankful that God didn’t snub his nose at Elijah. He nourished him. He knew exactly how to encourage his heart once again. He didn’t strike Elijah down! He came along side him and fed him and encouraged his heart with gentle whispering and gave him the courage to step out on his next mission. What a gift that we serve a God who is willing to take a tired mother’s heart and encourage it like He encouraged a prophet: presence, spiritual food, and gentle whispers.
I like to follow a day behind the daily reading so I can see everyone’s comments and encouragements. They are such a blessing to me and my study of the Word! I had a dream last night that I was surrounded by a group of people I did not know, yet I knew some were believers and some not. I prayed to God to send rain and immediately it began to rain. Then I prayed he would stop the rain and it immediately stopped. I was praising God with my hands lifted to Heaven for showing up not only to me, but to those non-believers around me. In my dream I was praying to demonstrate that God is real, He hears our prayers, and to encourage the non-believers in the group to believe. When I woke up I thought to myself, what a strange dream. Then read the story of the fire and Elijah sending rain over Israel and was blown away with how closely my dream paralleled these reading! I wonder what God is trying to tell me through this? Maybe to be more open with my friends who I know are non-believers about my faith and how our God is the one true God.
I feel like the reminder about idols is important for me this week. I am taking the LSAT on Monday to get into law school, and I’ve been working hard studying and stressing about getting the score I want. I have to remember that I am not defined by my LSAT score or what law school I get into or even if I become a lawyer. At the end of the day, it is all in God’s hands and my role is to go where I am called and do what I am called to do.
YES!!
“…and in the end delivers nothing.” This one jumped out to me too!!
Elijah’s faith and courage to trust God and the faithfulness of God in this story always blesses my heart. May we stand like Elijah and speak Jesus mercy and love. Blessings Sisters in Christ. He is faithful, and full of grace.
Such wise words!
Every idol demands worship.
Joshua 6:27 And the Lord was with Joshua, and his fame spread throughout the land.
His fame spread throughout the land, God’s. Yes, Joshua’s fame spread too but other nations were a buzz about this One True God of the Hebrew people. May it be the same in our world through believers and disciples of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
As a little girl I often sang in church. This story of Elijah and the prophets of Baal is one of the songs I often sang.
Rereading this story, my mind sings the song again.
We have parent teacher conferences this week.
I think about the parents I am meeting with.
Educators often say, “The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree,” and I would agree.
Young moms, families, it is so important what you are putting, or allowing to be put into the hearts and minds of your children.
It will stick with them.
I pray for you.
No one is perfect, there are things I would change if I could go back to those days,
there are also things I would keep exactly the same.
One positive was, the children and I went to Bible Study Fellowship.
Together we all studied the same lesson from the Word of God.
I remember being awed by my 3 and 5 year old as they sat together at a little children’s table and talked about the Holy Spirit. With purity, innocence, and clarity they gave honor and glory and praise to the Lord, in their own little conversation – this mama only listening, in awe, from the sidelines.
Whether you have family devotions, prayer, Bible reading times, go over the Sunday School lesson each week, or have the privilege of attending a Bible Study that has the children in the word also like BSF, this grandma and public school teacher would encourage you to take the time now to be in the Word of God with your children.
Speak it aloud.
Write it on the walls and doorposts of your house.
Live it out in your life.
It is one thing, you will never regret it, and has eternal benefits.
❤️
Following the Lord had its ups and downs. The Lord spoke to Elijah and he witnessed and performed miracles. Elijah became weary and fearful and he hid in a cave. God asked him what he was doing there. God had more for Elijah to do. Elijah needs encouragement and God whispers tenderly and intimately to him. Elijah feels alone and that his ministry to Israel has been ineffective and rejected. God gives Elijah new kings and another prophet to anoint. And God tells Elijah He’s leaving 7000 faithful ones in Israel. Following the Lord has its ups and downs. It is a journey and an adventure. Through it all, the Lord is faithful. He keeps His promises. He provides for His people. We are called to obediently follow. Let it be so. Amen.
“Through it all…”wasn’t that a song long ago?
Thanks for this insight, Churchmouse. You are completely right! I will have my ups and downs, and God will always have my back!