Mountains

Mountains - Week 4

In 1 Kings 18, God’s people were in the middle of a drought—both physically and spiritually. They hadn’t completely abandoned God, but their hearts were divided, worshiping Baal, the god of thunder. Yet, in his mercy, God called them back through the prophet Elijah. On Mount Carmel, Elijah stood alone against 450 prophets of Baal to reveal once and for all who the true God was.

The challenge was simple: the god who answered by fire would prove to be real. Baal’s prophets cried out and danced from morning to night—but nothing happened. Then Elijah rebuilt the altar, using twelve stones to represent the twelve tribes of Israel. In a bold, almost reckless act of faith, he drenched the sacrifice with water—not once, but three times. Water was their most precious resource during a drought, yet they poured it out in faith that God would answer.

And he did. Fire fell from heaven with such intensity that it consumed the offering, the wood, the stones—everything. Then came the sound of a heavy rain. God not only answered with fire—he sent the thunder Baal never could. The rain ended the drought, but even more, it broke the spiritual dryness and turned the people’s hearts back to God.