THE 13th OF FEBRUARY
THE LORD GOD IS THE ONE TRUE GOD, THE CREATOR OF THE UNIVERSE
“Then with the stones he built an altar in the name of the Lord, and he made a trench around the altar large enough to hold two seahs of seed… At the time of the evening sacrifice, the prophet Elijah stepped forward and prayed: ‘Lord, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known today that You are God in Israel and that I am Your servant and have done all these things at Your command. Answer me, Lord, answer me, so these people will know that You, Lord, are God, and that You are turning their hearts back again.’ Then the fire of the Lord fell and consumed the burnt offering, the wood, the stones, and the dust, and it even licked up the water in the trench.”— 1 Kings 18:32, 36-38
Elijah, knowing that God was with him, boldly challenged King Ahab to gather the Israelites along with the 450 prophets of Baal and the 400 prophets of Asherah on Mount Carmel. While little is mentioned about Asherah’s prophets, we do know that Baal’s prophets tried tirelessly to call down fire from their god—yet nothing happened.
In contrast, Elijah remained steadfast in his faith. He restored the Lord’s broken altar, using twelve stones to build a new one. He placed the wood and the sacrificial animal upon it, then instructed the people to drench everything in water three times until the trench around the altar overflowed. When he prayed, God answered by sending fire from heaven, consuming not only the sacrifice but also the wood, stones, dust, and even the water. This undeniable miracle left the people in awe, and they fell on their faces, declaring: “The Lord, He is God! The Lord, He is God!” (1 Kings 18:39).
Israel had become so blinded by idol worship that they had forgotten the wonders God had performed for them in the past. They needed a powerful sign to open their eyes, leading them to repentance. It is truly remarkable how patient God is, continually extending grace and opportunities for people to return to Him. However, the sooner we respond to His call, the better it is for us and for those around us. Let us also remember that repeatedly rejecting the Holy Spirit’s voice can harden our hearts to the point where we no longer recognize His call—leading to eternal separation from Him.
SUGGESTED PRAYER
Dear Heavenly Father, please give me a soft heart, willing to be shaped by You. Help me to recognize Your correction and respond in obedience. May I never forget the miracles You have done for me, and may my heart overflow with gratitude. May my faith never waver, just as Elijah remained steadfast in faith. You alone deserve all worship, honor, and adoration, now and forever. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen
