Repair the Altar!

God still answers by fire, but only when the altar is ready. Elijah threw a spiritual contest on Mount Carmel.

He stood alone against hundreds of false prophets who cried out all day to their idol, but no fire came.

Then, at the time of the evening sacrifice, Elijah stepped forward. He took twelve stones, representing the twelve tribes of Israel.

He built the altar and laid the evening sacrifice upon it. To make the miracle undeniable, he instructed his servants to pour four large jars of water on the offering.

They did this three times until the altar and wood were completely drenched and the trench was filled with water.

And when it was the time of the evening sacrifice, he drew near and prayed. And the Lord, gracious and holy, answered by fire.

But why did the fire go out? The people of God had sinned; they had killed the prophets and torn down the altar of the Lord.

Elijah, the prophet, held King Ahab accountable. And rightly so, for through his marriage to Jezebel, he had introduced the worship of Baal, a false and dangerous idol, into Israel.

Elijah knew that without the altar, there could be no sacrifice. And where there is no sacrifice, the fire of God cannot fall.

Elijah stood, repaired the altar, and you know the story. The fire came down. Is the altar of your heart without fire?

It is not because it is too wet; it is not the water. Perhaps your spiritual altar has been compromised by neglect, sin, or distraction.

There is no more sacrifice, and the fire has gone out. But there is hope! Do not let guilt or remorse trap you. The altar is personal; repair it.

That was what Elijah did: he repaired the altar and set the stones in order before laying the sacrifice upon it.

When the altar is set in order and the sacrifice is acceptable, God will send the fire again.

No matter how wet your altar is, the fire of His presence, the fire of renewal, and the fire that rekindles purpose will consume your sacrifice.

Reflection Question: Am I waiting for God to send fire while He is waiting for me to rebuild the altar?