God Is Always The Victor!

God is Sovereign in power and authority and when He is challenged He is always triumphant. In 1 Kings 18, we read Elijah's challenge to the priests of Baal. Sooner or later God will go head to head with disobedience. This was a pivotal time for the Israelis. 1 Kings 18:21, “And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word.” Then Elijah proposed a contest to determine the true God. The priests of Baal built an altar and prepared a sacrifice. The God who answered with fire would be recognized as the one and true God.

The priests of Baal called upon the name of Baal from morning till noon but there was no answer. They leaped about upon the altar they had prepared but still no answer. Elijah mocked them saying perhaps he is talking, on a long journey or even asleep. They cried aloud, cutting themselves until the blood gushed out. They continued their appeal until the time of the evening sacrifice but, “there was neither voice, nor any to answer, nor any that regarded” 1 Kings 18:29. Baal never showed.

Elijah prepared his altar and sacrifice. Then he commanded, “...Fill four water pots with water and pour it on the offering to be burned and on the wood. And he said, Do it the second time. And they did it the second time. And he said, Do it the third time. And they did it the third time.” vs 33-34. Elijah prayed an anointed prayer and God answered. 1 Kings 18:36, “...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. 37Hear me, O LORD, hear me, that this people may know that thou art the LORD God, and that thou hast turned their heart back again.” God answered Elijah's prayer. “Then 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,” 1 Kings 18:38. The people fell on their knees in acclamation that the Lord, He is God. God is supreme, the creator of all life, creator of all things. The only acceptable response for the created is to fall helplessly at His feet in total submission to His Sovereignty. God is always the Victor! The Message, p.24-25, available at Amazon.com.