THE LORD HE IS GOD

PROCLAMATION

“Then the fire of The Lord fell and burned up the sacrifice, the wood, the stones and the soil, and also licked up the water in the trench.  When the people saw this, they fell prostrate and cried, ‘The Lord He is God!  The Lord He is God!’”  1 Kings 18:38-39 (NIV)

EXPLANATION

Three years after Elijah had told king Ahab that there would be a drought in the land of Israel, The Lord God told Elijah to go back to Ahab and tell him that He would send rain to the land. (1 Kings 18:1-2)  When Elijah met Ahab, he told him that he and his family had brought trouble to Israel by abandoning The Lord’s commands and following Baal. (1 Kings 18:16-18)  Elijah then offered Ahab, the prophets of Baal, and the people a challenge.  He suggested that two sacrifices be prepared, one to their god Baal, and one to The Lord God, and see which god would consume the sacrifice by fire. (1 Kings 18:20-24)  Then the prophets of Baal prepared their bull for sacrifice and called on the name of Baal, but there was no response.  Afterwards Elijah repaired the alter with twelve stones, arranged the wood, prepared his bull for sacrifice, dug a trench around the alter, and then had the people pour water on the offering and the wood three times until the water filled the trench. (1 Kings 18:30-35)  Then Elijah prayed to The Lord so that the people would know that The Lord God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel was the only true God. (1 Kings 18:36-37)  The Lord God sent down fire and consumed the sacrifice. 

APPLICATION

Unfortunately, some people will only believe when they see a miracle for themselves.  It is as if they are from the “show me” state of Missouri.  Like the apostle Thomas, they will only believe when they see for themselves.  However, Jesus, The Christ, said, “Blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.” (John 20:29)  The gospel according to the apostle John was written so that all people might believe that Jesus is The Christ, The Son of God. (John 20:31)  Jesus, The Christ is God. (John 10:30 and 1 John 5:7)  The Bible says, “In the beginning was The Word, and The Word was with God, and The Word was God.” (John 1:1)  The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. (John 1:14)  The Lord God is God.  He is the one and only true and living God. (Jeremiah 10:10)