THE CONTEST ON CARMEL

“And Elijah came to all the people, and said, “How long will you falter between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him.” But the people answered him not a word.” (1 Kings‬ ‭18:21‬)

1 person + God = a majority. God told one man, Elijah, to go on the offensive and challenge the devil’s crowd to a duel. That is the kind of faith that forges victory. Too often, God’s people have a fortress mentality. We view ourselves as outnumbered and outgunned, just hoping we can hold on. Yet, Jesus said, “Upon this rock I will build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matt.16:18). The church is to be militant and triumphant, as we storm the gates of hell!  We are meant to confront the vile values, vain philosophies, and virulent deceptions of our day.

When I was young, I recall the Ali-Frazier boxing match, “The Thrilla in Manila,’ and the Foreman-Ali bout, “The Rumble in the Jungle.”  1 Kings 18 gives us a ringside seat for “The Contest on Carmel.”

There was A CHALLENGE TO A DUEL (v.1-19). The wicked King Ahab and his demonic Queen Jezebel were in power.  The false worship of Baal permeated Israel. Here we encounter the god-fearing Obadiah, who was holding to faith in God, even while serving in the polluted palace of Ahab and Jezebel. Of course, there stands stalwart Elijah—one prophet challenging 850 prophets of Baal and Asherah to a duel!  God always has a people who will stand up and speak out. Will you?

Then, there is A CALL FOR A DECISION (v.20-40). There is no place for fence-straddling. God wants us hot or cold, but not lukewarm. It nauseates Him. Elijah would repair the altar. That is the place of consecration. We need to go all in!  He would prepare the sacrifice. That is the place of expectation. We need a faith that overcomes our fear. Then followed prayer. That is the place of intercession.  An ordinary prayer can bring extraordinary results!  The response of the people was to worship God, when the fire fell!

The saga closes with A CRY FOR A DOWNPOUR (v.41-46). Elijah had prayed and the heavens were shut. He prays again and the heavens open. James tells us this, ““Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit.” (James‬ ‭5:16-18‬). Only a praying church is a powerful church. We stand strongest when we kneel weakest.