Title Answer me / 1 Kings 18:36-40
Content Sometimes we take a break from prayer.
I prayed every day, but one day I became lazy and stopped praying, when faced with a difficult situation, I complained to God and then stopped praying. Because I am sorry to God, I can't pray any more.
Today, let's go to Mount Carmel in the Old Testament and think quietly about how Elijah prayed and received an answer from God, and whether God is the true living God.
After King Solomon, the nation of Israel was divided into two kingdoms, the south and the north, and two kings ruled. (The northern kingdom was called Israel, centered on Samaria, and the southern kingdom was called Judah, centered on Jerusalem.)
The worst king of the northern kingdom of Israel was King Ahab. This king Ahab took a foreign woman named Jezebel who served Baal as his queen, and built the temple of Baal in Samaria and worshiped in that Baal, and carved up an idol called Asherah and served it.
God cannot leave King Ahab alone. God sent Elijah to keep it from raining for three years. There was no rain for three years and only the sun was shining in a desert-like place, so there was no water for people or animals to drink or grain to eat.
It was the third year of a drought. Elijah met King Ahab by God's command. When King Ahab saw Elijah, he became very angry and called out, "You ruiner of Israel!" At this time, Elijah said, "You are the one who is destroying Israel, because you have forsaken God and served Baal." and rebuked the king. Sometimes we forget about our mistakes and only blame God.
Elijah made an offer to King Ahab.
“Gather together 450 prophets of Baal and 400 prophets of Asherah, who eat rust from all the people of Israel and Jezebel, on Mount Carmel.”
All the Israelites gathered at the mouth of Mount Carmel. There were 450 prophets of Baal and 400 prophets of Asherah who lived on rust from Queen Jezebel.
Elijah calls out to the people.
"People of Israel, how long will God and Baal live with both feet on their feet? If the Lord God is the true God, then we will follow Him only. If Baal is the true God, we must follow Him."
People can't say a word.
Then, as Elijah suggested, he took two calves and built two altars. One is the altar of Baal and the other is the altar of Jehovah.
All sacrifices are prepared, but no one starts a fire. That is why fire comes down from heaven and the one who burns it shows the true trust.
First, 450 prophets of Baal and 400 prophets of Asherah began offering sacrifices. After morning and noon, there is no answer from them. They limp and dance and shout, but Baal does not respond. Then Elijah mocks him.
"Hey, sing it a little louder. If you're in deep contemplation, if you're asleep, or if you're going out, try shouting out loud."
Baal's prophets now pierce themselves with swords or spears, causing blood to flow. Dance around the altar and return. Still, there was no sound, let alone an answer.
Now it's Elijah's turn.
Elijah rebuilt the altar of Jehovah, which had been torn down. Then he gathered twelve stones and built an altar. Then a large ditch, about the size of two sacks of rice, was dug round and round. After laying the firewood there, the calf was placed, and water was poured into the circle and poured on the altar. After pouring water three times, the altar and its surroundings were filled with water. And pray to God. (Let's pray together)
“O LORD, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known today that you are God in Israel, that I am your servant, and that I do all these things according to your word. Let them know that you are and that you are turning their hearts.”
At this point, fire comes down from the sky. Burn all the offerings. And all the water that was full dries up.
People are amazed to see it. "Jehovah God is the true God"
Elijah kills Baal and Asherah, leaving none of them behind.
Now Elijah ascends to the top of Mount Carmel. Then put your face between your knees and pray to God. But there is no change in the sky like it will rain. He prays again. Still no change. The sun is shining brightly.
Elijah prayed seven times.
Then a piece of cloud appeared across the sky. Then, after a while, dark clouds form and the sky darkens and it starts to rain. After three years of rain, it begins to rain at Elijah's prayer. Now the crops have grown and the fields have grown grass so that the animals can eat them.
It started raining because of Elijah's prayer, which had not rained for three years while serving Baal.
Are there any students among us who do not pray to God? Let's think about when I started having the habit of not praying. Whether it was from childhood, from when I doubted God, from the time I blamed God, or from liking something other than God.... Since when did I stop praying to God?
However, the God who answered Elijah on Mount Carmel is still alive and answers us. God wants to answer our prayers.
He wants you to respond more earnestly than we do.