WATERLOGGED
My wife loves campfires. Every time she goes camping there has to be a campfire regardless of the conditions. The smoky smell that permeates your clothes is not for me, but she is drawn to it and the crackling sound of the wood burning, and the amber light that reflects off the faces of those gathered around make the campfire experience complete. So it was no surprise when she purchased an outdoor fire pit for the backyard. One night after a day of heavy rain she decided to roast some marshmallows over the fire. The problem she faced became apparent when every piece of wood dripped with water from the previous days’ rain. But, because she had an insatiable need for S’mores, she hunted relentlessly for the driest pieces of wood she could find. With a great deal of persistence and effort she was rewarded with a sustainable enough fire to roast a few marshmallows.
While it seemed like a small miracle to get the wet wood to light, it reminded me of the experience of Elijah and his contest with the prophets of Baal to see whose god was the real God. The challenge involved both the prophets of Baal and Elijah preparing sacrifices, and the real God would be the one who would send fire to burn the sacrifice.
He (Elijah) took twelve stones, one to represent each of the tribes of Israel, and he used the stones to rebuild the altar in the name of the Lord. Then he dug a trench around the altar large enough to hold about three gallons. He piled wood on the altar, cut the bull into pieces, and laid the pieces on the wood. Then he said, "Fill four large jars with water, and pour the water over the offering and the wood." After they had done this, he said, "Do the same thing again!" And when they were finished, he said, "Now do it a third time!" So they did as he said, and the water ran around the altar and even filled the trench. — 1 Kings 18:31-35 NLT
Elijah spent the day watching the prophets of Baal call upon their god to no avail. The result was silence. Then, it was Elijah’s turn and he did the unthinkable! He soaked the wood around the altar, not once, not twice, but three times! Then, he prayed (v. 36). Talk about miracles! To the shock of all, fire from God fell from the sky and burned up the sacrifice, the wood, the altar, and every drop of water (v. 38).
Maybe you have some “wet wood” in your life that needs to be consumed by the fire of God. And, maybe it’s not for your benefit but like Elijah, it’s for the benefit of those around you. God loves to do the impossible through those who believe (Mk 9:23). “What is impossible with men is possible with God.” — Luke 18:27
While it seemed like a small miracle to get the wet wood to light, it reminded me of the experience of Elijah and his contest with the prophets of Baal to see whose god was the real God. The challenge involved both the prophets of Baal and Elijah preparing sacrifices, and the real God would be the one who would send fire to burn the sacrifice.
He (Elijah) took twelve stones, one to represent each of the tribes of Israel, and he used the stones to rebuild the altar in the name of the Lord. Then he dug a trench around the altar large enough to hold about three gallons. He piled wood on the altar, cut the bull into pieces, and laid the pieces on the wood. Then he said, "Fill four large jars with water, and pour the water over the offering and the wood." After they had done this, he said, "Do the same thing again!" And when they were finished, he said, "Now do it a third time!" So they did as he said, and the water ran around the altar and even filled the trench. — 1 Kings 18:31-35 NLT
Elijah spent the day watching the prophets of Baal call upon their god to no avail. The result was silence. Then, it was Elijah’s turn and he did the unthinkable! He soaked the wood around the altar, not once, not twice, but three times! Then, he prayed (v. 36). Talk about miracles! To the shock of all, fire from God fell from the sky and burned up the sacrifice, the wood, the altar, and every drop of water (v. 38).
Maybe you have some “wet wood” in your life that needs to be consumed by the fire of God. And, maybe it’s not for your benefit but like Elijah, it’s for the benefit of those around you. God loves to do the impossible through those who believe (Mk 9:23). “What is impossible with men is possible with God.” — Luke 18:27
Comments
Post a Comment