How can you demonstrate faith like Elijah in challenging situations today? Faith That Soaks the Altar When Elijah faced the prophets of Baal, he did something that looked utterly irrational: he drenched the sacrifice three times. Scripture records, “ ‘Do it a third time,’ he said, and they did it a third time” (1 Kings 18:34). By making the wood and offering sopping wet, Elijah removed every human reason for success and put the outcome squarely in God’s hands. Key Observations from 1 Kings 18:34 • Public setting: the whole nation watched, so his faith was unmistakable. • Intentional difficulty: pouring on water magnified the miracle that was about to come. • Obedient detail: Elijah followed God’s leading precisely—no shortcuts. • Complete reliance: once the trench filled, only divine fire could ignite the altar. Why Elijah’s Choice Matters • True faith invites God to act where human strength fails. • Bold obedience prepares an unmistakable platform for God’s glory. • Impossible odds highlight God’s power, not ours. • Elijah’s example shows faith is not passive; it steps out first, expecting God to follow through. Demonstrating Similar Faith Today 1. Obey when the command seems unreasonable. – Forgive the unforgivable (Matthew 18:21-22). – Give generously when resources feel thin (2 Corinthians 9:8). 2. Make room for God to be unmistakably seen. – Speak openly of dependence on Christ before results appear (Psalm 115:1). – Choose integrity in the workplace even if promotion is at stake (Proverbs 28:6). 3. Saturate the situation in earnest prayer. – Elijah prayed before the fire fell; imitate that persistence (James 5:17-18). – Pray specifically so that answered prayer becomes obvious evidence. 4. Refuse backup plans that undermine trust. – No hidden “Plan B” when God calls for a step of faith (Proverbs 3:5-6). – Accept weakness so that Christ’s power is showcased (2 Corinthians 12:9). 5. Stay rooted in God’s promises. – Recall that “he who promised is faithful” (Hebrews 10:23). – Like Abraham, be “fully persuaded that God was able to do what He had promised” (Romans 4:21). Scriptures That Reinforce the Lesson • Hebrews 11:6 – “Without faith it is impossible to please God…” • 1 Kings 18:38 – “Then the fire of the LORD fell and consumed the burnt offering…” • Romans 4:20-21 – Faith glorifies God by trusting His ability. • James 5:17-18 – Elijah’s prayers affected weather; ours can impact our circumstances. • Matthew 5:16 – Let your light shine so others see and glorify the Father. Real-Life Scenarios for “Watering the Altar” • Finances: Tithing before budgeting, trusting God to supply needs. • Health: Declaring confidence in God’s healing power while following medical advice. • Relationships: Choosing reconciliation when hurt is fresh, believing God can restore. • Ministry: Launching a new outreach with limited resources, expecting divine provision. • Cultural pressure: Standing for biblical truth despite social cost, trusting God to honor faithfulness. Closing Encouragement: Waiting for the Fire When you deliberately “soak the altar” of your challenge—obeying God, praying earnestly, refusing to lean on human logic—you set the stage for Him to respond with unmistakable power. Expect the same faithful God who answered Elijah to send fire into today’s impossible situations, proving once more that “the LORD, He is God!” |
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