July 15, 2024 Daily Devotion

I’ll Take Those Odds!

I am the only surviving prophet of the Lord, and there are four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal.

1 Kings 18:22

It is Elijah and God against the four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal. Elijah comes right to the point. “If the Lord is God, follow him; if Baal, follow him” (V.21). So Elijah sets up the challenge with the sacrifice of two bulls over wood but start no fire. “You shall call on your gods, and I will call on the Lord. The God who answers with fire is God. All the people answered, “Agreed” (V.24).

The false prophets of Baal could not start the fire. Now it was Elijah’s turn upping the ante by having them pour water over the burnt offering and wood. “The prophet Elijah came forward and said, “Lord, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known that this day you are God in Israel and that I am your servant and have done all things by your command. Answer me, Lord! Answer me, that this people may know that you, Lord, are God and that I am your servant and have done all these things by your command. Answer me, Lord! Answer me, that this people may know that you, Lord, are God and that you have brought them back to their senses.” The Lord’s fire came down and consumed the burnt offering, wood, stones, and dust, and it lapped up the water in the trench. Seeing this, all the people fell prostate and said, “The Lord is God! The Lord is God (VV.36-39).