Return to God
Kings 18:38 Then the fire of the Lord fell and burned up the sacrifice, the wood, the stones and the soil, and also licked up the water in the trench.39 When all the people saw this, they fell prostrate and cried, “The Lord—he is God! The Lord—he is God!”
The fire descended and there was a purging in the camp of ungodly leaders. The fire had a direct and dramatic impact compelling those under its influence to forsake their sin! Spiritual chains were broken, scales fell off men’s eyes, strongholds crumbled. What Satan established for years was demolished in mere moments through a man who was consecrated to God, and living in holiness. Today’s preachers might want to write a book entitled, "The Day the fire fell." Or they would want to make a TV special, at a minimum they would publish photos of the day the fire fell. Their newsletters and emails would be sent out asking for funds to sustain their ministry.
But for Elijah, fire was not a means of self-promotion, fundraising, or a photo-op; it was a catalyst for men and women to repent and be broken before God. It served as a means to purge sin and idol worship from the camp.
The sacrifice was required for their sin. The bull was killed. It was slain to forgive their iniquities. The animal took their punishment. Like Joshua and Caleb, the minority of spies focused not on the problem of the strong enemy, but on faith in the Lord God. Like David against Goliath, it was God’s power that toppled a giant with a mere stone and a willing shepherd boy. Like Gidon and his 300 men against thousands of the Midianite army without a fight. So, among these misguided people in Israel came one man with a firm, solid, conviction in God awaiting the heavenly fire. Elijah, chosen not for his ability but for his availability, executed God plan to destroy the works of Satan. He further commanded the people to destroy all the apostasy and kill the prophets of Baal and Asherah.
His call was to confront their sin, make their choice, and turn to the one and true God for there is none other.
How about you? Get rid of what holds first place in your life. Cry out to God for forgiveness. Trust in the saving work of Jesus Christ. For one day it will all be too late. The people cried out and fell to the ground in fear and shame that the judgment of God might cause them to die on the spot also. They smelled the smoke and felt the heat as it consumed the bull, the water, the stones and the soil leaving a charred hole as testimony of God’s power and holiness.
We have witnessed many examples of natural disasters in nation- draught, floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, and collapsing trees that humble us with our frailty. Mudslides sweeping houses away in a moment. Destruction is massive. Yet, we continue to live in blindness and sin in rebellion again God. We blaspheme the name of Christ, and ignore calls to repentance.
I think of a poem I read in high school from “God’s Trombones” by Jame Weldon Johnson. One line stood out to me. “Boy, your arms are too short to box with God.”
In the end God triumphs. If you are out of fellowship with Him return before it is too late.
Prayer- Lord purge me from sin and where I am led astray, bring me back to truth and to yourself.
