Theme: WHO IS ON THE LORD’S SIDE?
Text: “And it came to pass at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near, and said, LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that thou art God in Israel, and that I am thy servant, and that I have done all these things at thy word.” – 1 Kings 18:36
Comment: The priests of Baal called on their god from morning till evening, but no response was heard. Elijah then invited the people, repaired an old altar that had broken down, using 12 stones according to the number of the tribes of Israel. He then arranged the wood in order, then laid the cut pieces of the animals for sacrifice on the wood. The work of God must be done in the way he had prescribed for one’s service to be acceptable. See 1 Corinthians 14:33, 40. Next, Elijah caused barrels of water to be poured all over the altar and into the trench round it, three times. He then said a short prayer, following which, “the fire of the LORD fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench.” On seeing this, the people unanimously exclaimed: “The LORD, he is the God; the LORD, he is the God.” He then gave the order for the 450 prophets of Baal to be seized and killed. (1 Kings 18:22-40) Having acknowledged openly the supremacy of God Almighty, and thrown themselves on the Lord’s side, He showed mercy on them by giving them rain. “ (2 Chronicles 7:14) When people humble themselves and seek the face of God, He will forgive their sins and heal their land. – 2 Chronicles 7:14.