And the Fire Fell

Elijah was a prophet of miracles. God used him to deliver a call to repentance to King Ahab and the nation of Israel. Through Elijah’s prayer the rain did not fall upon the land for three and half years. During the drought God fed Elijah through ravens. He also performed a miracle with a widow woman whose barrel of meal and cruse of oil did not run out until the rains came again. When the woman’s son died Elijah raised him from the dead. However the greatest miracle in Elijah’s life came on top of Mt. Carmel when he called down fire from heaven and consumed the water soaked altar in the contest with the prophets of Baal. Elijah’s life was saturated with evidence of the reality and power of God.

Have you ever longed for the days of Elijah? Have you ever thought that if I would be able to see with my eyes fire fall from the heavens I would never doubt? Maybe you thought that if only I could just walk on water or witness a miracle, my faith would never waver. Is that really true? Do you remember what happened to Elijah after the contest on Mt. Carmel? After he saw the fire fall and the Israelites believing in the Lord and the enemies defeated, Elijah ran. He was consumed with fear from Jezebel. He found himself collapsing under a broom tree. He prayed that he might die. Elijah felt that he was the only one standing for the Lord and wallowed in a deep depression. Seeing the fire fall did not keep him from a spiritual setback. God was gracious and ministered to his weary prophet. His faith restored, Elijah continued to serve Him.

Seeing evidence of the reality of God does not guarantee our faithfulness. When Thomas saw the nail prints and wounded side of his resurrected Lord he believed. Jesus then said "…Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed" (John 20:29). The fire of God’s love fell at Calvary, and the greatest miracle in history happened at the resurrection. Believe it!