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Holy Fire

How do you know God is moving in your heart? Do you have a greater emotional hunger for holiness? Is there a keener sense that God is near in your daily activities? Do your appetites reflect an increased distaste of worldly sweets? Well, while reading the story of Elijah on Mt Carmel with the 400 pagan prophets, I found it striking that Elijah prayed, ”Answer me, O Lord, answer me, so these people will know…that you are turning their hearts back again” (1 Kg 18:37).

Elijah connects God’s miraculous consumption of his sacrifice as the announcement to Israel that God is drawing them back to himself. In an instant, it is as if the rebellious, faithless, godless nation will be “cut to the heart” by fire from heaven, and their “eyes” will be opened to see God wants them back. Amazing! It reminds me of Paul’s warning that God will finally give over to their desires those who persist in rebellion (Rom 1:24ff). And in that rebellious state, there will be no awareness of the true God or his ways because “their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened” (Rom 1:21).

So what does it take to realize God desires you, that God is warming your heart toward him? Sometimes, as Elijah prayed, it takes the fire of heaven.

This is all the more supported in the story by Elijah’s challenge to Israel in 1 Kg 18:21 when he pleaded with them, “’How long will you waver between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him.’ But the people said nothing.” It was only after Elijah presented his contest between Baal and Yahweh that the people declared, “What you say is good” (v24). They were only willing to choose sides when one of the gods proved himself. Their conviction and devotion rested completely on God’s performance.

And yet, Elijah understood it would take the light and heat of holy fire to illuminate their darkened hearts and inflame their holy passions in order for Israel to realize God was at work. O Lord, may I never get to that place. And if I do (or if I am), please send your fire again.
Labels: Interesting Verse

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