“So Ahab sent for all the children of Israel, and gathered the prophets together on Mount Carmel. 21 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. 22 Then Elijah said to the people, “I alone am left a prophet of the Lord; but Baal’s prophets are four hundred and fifty men. 23 Therefore let them give us two bulls; and let them choose one bull for themselves, cut it in pieces, and lay it on the wood, but put no fire under it; and I will prepare the other bull, and lay it on the wood, but put no fire under it. 24 Then you call on the name of your gods, and I will call on the name of the Lord; and the God who answers by fire, He is God.”” 1 Kings 18:20-24 NKJV
“And it came to pass, at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near and said, “Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known this day that You are God in Israel and I am Your servant, and that I have done all these things at Your word. 37 Hear me, O Lord, hear me, that this people may know that You are the Lord God, and that You have turned their hearts back to You again.” 38 Then the fire of the Lord fell and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood and the stones and the dust, and it licked up the water that was in the trench. 39 Now when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces; and they said, “The Lord, He is God! The Lord, He is God!”” 1 Kings 18:36-39 NKJV
Lord God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel,
We just have to visit this event on the journey through 1 Kings.. Elijah, reinforcing the truth that You, God, are still God of Israel as well as Judah. You are still their provider and their judge! You do not disappear because they ignore You. Elijah shows the Prophets of Baal up for what they are – shams. He then allows them lots of time to show themselves up and Baal as powerless.
You made Israel and Judah wait for a long time and many judgements till You sent the perfect sacrifice, on the altar of the cross, for their and our sin. Till Your time was right. (Romans 5:6). Just as Elijah gave You all the glory, Jesus shared His glory with You, His Father. He was the image of You in human form (Colossians 1:15). No matter how much water is poured on the message of the gospel, how much it is dampened down, Jesus Spirit still burns true, finding new hearts to heal and set on fire.
Just as the foolish trusted in Baal to send the fire, today many trust in all sorts of things to help them. Yes, we are sometimes still considered foolish by the world to trust in the message of Your cross. But we believe it is foolishness to those who are perishing, and to us who are being saved it is Your power, God, which strengthens us ( 1 Corinthians 1:18).
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Friday 29th May 2026
We are not waiting any more – we are living in Jesus now. This is one of the songs of the last decade which has stuck with me and I still like.
You are here moving in our midst
I worship you, I worship you
You are here working in this place
I worship you, I worship you
You are here moving in our midst
I worship you, I worship you
You are here working in this place
I worship you, I worship you
You are, Way maker, Miracle worker, Promise keeper
Light in the darkness
My God. That is who you are
You are, Way maker, Miracle worker, Promise keeper
Light in the darkness
My God. That is who you are.
You are here turning lives around
I worship you, I worship you
You are here healing every heart
I worship you, I worship you
Chorus: You are, Way Maker . . .
Twice
Even when I don’t see it, You’re working
Even when I don’t feel it You’re working
You never stop, You never stop working
You never stop
Chorus: You are Way Maker
Lyrics: Michael Anthony Oluwole, Okoro Osinachi Kalu