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. (1 Kings 18:38)
Expanded Passage: 1 Kings 18:38
On a dark winter evening, I enjoy having a fire in my fireplace. However, I don’t always enjoy trying to start the fire, especially if I have not thought ahead and made sure I have dry wood to use. When the wood is damp, I struggle to get even a smoldering fire going, but if I am patient, I will eventually see a small flicker, then a small flame, and finally a steady blazing fire.
The scene at Mt. Carmel was amazingly different! Elijah did not search for dry wood but made sure that the wood was thoroughly soaked, dousing the stack three times and filling the trench with water. Then the fire fell—not a smoldering, smoky fire but a mighty conflagration—burning the sacrifice and lapping up the water, even consuming the stones.
When we are at a spiritual low, we sometimes describe our souls as being dry or thirsty. Perhaps it would be just as accurate to say that we feel bogged down, maybe damp or moldy. Maybe we are experiencing mildew of the spirit. In these moments, we long to experience the renewing power of God’s fire at work in our hearts. And God is faithful: just as he sends life-giving water to the thirsty, he sends warming fire to the damp and soggy! Thanks be to God!
Let the fire of God’s Spirit bring life.
Gloria J. Bell retired from Southern Wesleyan University as academic vice president and dean after many years of service.
© 2024 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.
