The Fire of God: Elijah and the Fire
The Fire of God: Elijah and the Fire
Scripture: 1 Kings 18:22-24, 30-39
Major Matthew Riley
Administrator
Atlanta Adult Rehabilitation Center
Yahweh is looking for people like Elijah who have the same spirit as Elijah, the same fire shut up in their bones. Yahweh is looking for men and women who meet the requirements or conditions. Yahweh is here as He was back in Elijah’s day and there’s nothing to prevent us from seeing Yahweh do anything now that He did then. The Lord God of Elijah is waiting for somebody as fearless as Elijah.
What kind of person is Yahweh looking for?
Elijah was a Man of Courage
It takes a lot of courage to stand out. In this story there is a prophet, Obadiah, and he had a hundred prophets hidden in a cave. Imagine, Jezebel is on the loose with Ahab, the wickedest King Israel had since Jeroboam. Here are men hiding in a cave and only Elijah had the courage to be out in the open with his faith. Can you imagine if those that were hiding had the same spirit and courage that Elijah had? They would have sent Jezebel and Ahab running. It takes courage!
Elijah – went into Ahab and declared a famine
- Challenged and defeated the prophets of Baal
- Called down the fire of Yahweh
He was fearless. Imagine in your community, your corps, our Army and its leaders, men and women with this kind of courage. Standing up for righteousness, taking a stand against the ills of
society or the world for that matter. I believe we have many prophets but far too many of us are hiding in our corps with our programs, busying ourselves with the brick and mortar, the finances, etc., hiding behind our uniforms and history, not making history. Preaching and teaching and hiding in our caves (sanctuaries). What a difference we could make if we were fearless like Elijah. If we came out from our caves.
Gideon came out of the cave and found that Yahweh was faithful. With only 300 men and the Lord going before them, they routed the Midianites and Amalekites, all the people of the east, “...as numerous as locusts” (Judges 7:12ff) Gideon took back what the devil stole from them.
Elijah was Obedient
In 1 Kings 17:5 it reads “…that he went and did according to the word of the Lord.” Every time Yahweh spoke to him, he went and did according to the word of the Lord.
When you and I do according to the word of the Lord, Yahweh will do according to you. Yahweh said, “Elijah, do this,” and Elijah ran and did it, and Elijah prayed, “Oh, Yahweh, do this,” and Yahweh did it.
Yahweh is looking for obedient men and women, I mean positively 100% obedient, not just passively obedient. Passive obedience is actually disobedience! Today’s church is cursed with passive obedience. We sing, “Have Thine own way, have Thine own way,” and never do anything. You hear the Word and say, “I’ve got to change, I’ve got to change,” and never change. That is not obedience!
Elijah took the tough road of faith and obedience. He put himself on the spot, as they say. That takes a hazardous faith, and we have to have it. If we were to look through the hall of fame in Hebrews 11, we would find men and women who walked in obedience and did incredible things for the Lord. Our Army was birthed with this same hazardous faith and unwavering obedience. We need to return to such an obedient faith.
Elijah was a Praying Man
“… Those that come to Yahweh must believe that He is and He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6)
Come to God in prayer! If you don’t connect to the power source, you won’t have any spiritual power to overcome the enemy and the temptations you face. Electrical outlets in North America are 120 volts. The power surging through them is very quiet, but there is still power that will give life to a vacuum, radio, cook your meals, turn on the lights, TV, etc. But there is a condition that needs to be met – you must plug into the source.
I remember a day when the prayer meeting was the central focus of our corps. It was alive, vibrant, and moving. Whether it was a saint or young person crying out to Yahweh, you got a glimpse into their heart and understood their pain and passion. We cried out to Yahweh corporately believing that He would respond by meeting our needs, whatever they might be. This brought an intimacy among us. We became a family. The early Army prayed in sinners, support, and the like.
In one community, I joined a group of praying pastors, and it changed my life. I began to hear the issues in our community and what others were praying about. I realized the big picture wasn’t about our own corps, it was about our city. Yahweh sent us into a community with gifts and talents for that community and I needed to be plugged in. We stood together as one body and literally changed our community,
When prayer isn’t a priority we lose focus, getting all caught up in our stuff.
Nothing is impossible when we put our trust in Yahweh! We need to “come to Yahweh believing that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” (Hebrews 1:6). Yahweh’s plan is to prosper us and not to harm us, but we must come out of our caves and be fearless.
Taking the tough road of faith and obedience isn’t easy but it is a must if we are to see a move of Yahweh in our lives and in our communities. Prayer must return as the focus of our lives.
Perhaps you are where Elijah once was – in bad shape, down, discouraged, lost heart, even desiring to die. Remember, while hiding on the mountain side in the cleft of the rock, Yahweh spoke to him. In 1 Kings 19:9 He asked him “…what are you doing here?” A tender invitation to Elijah to express his emotions. Maybe you need to express yours to Him today. Elijah felt alone and abandoned but in fact he wasn’t, and neither are you. Listen for Yahweh’s still small voice – it is lovingly pursuing you (Isaiah 30:21 & John 16:13). Come out of your cave. He has called you and will equip you for every good work. Be obedient and pray.
Our Corporate Prayer
Dear Father, We look at Elijah and his courage and we feel so small with ours. Help us to speak for You where we are, to witness for You when the chance is there. Help us to live boldly for You in a world where people want us to be silent about our faith. We do not want to speak to offend but to win people for You. If it offends them it is only to open the heart for Your Spirit to enter and do the work that only He can do, to bring the salvation that only You can bring because You and only You are the hope for this world of ours. God of Elijah, hear our cry! Send the fire! In Jesus name, Amen.
Our Worldwide Prayer Meeting
France & Belgium Territory
Thinking It Through
Elijah stood even when he was convinced there was no one else standing with him. Have you ever stood for Christ when you felt all alone doing so? Are you standing for Him now?
Notable Quotables
Sometimes I leave Christian events wondering if we resemble the prophets of Baal in I Kings 18 more than Elijah, the prophet of God. . . . We can have a great time singing and dancing ourselves into a frenzy. . . . But at the end of it, fire doesn’t come down from heaven. People leave talking about the people who led rather than the power of God. — Francis Chan
With this devotion, we have to include William Booth's classic song, "Send the Fire." This is one of the contemporary settings with the lyrics so you can follow along. Very well done.
We would appreciate any feedback and/or suggestions on how to improve these devotionals. Please email comments to: SpiritualLifeDevelopment@uss.salvationarmy.org or by going to our website: https://southernusa.salvationarmy.org/uss/spiritual-life-development.
We would love to hear from you.
Lt. Colonel Allen Satterlee
Territorial Spiritual Life Development Officer/THQ Chaplain
USA Southern Territory