THE GOD THAT ANSWERETH BY FIRE

This is the season when no one must keep silent. We are in a season of spiritual legislation, a season that we need to confront the forces that have held us down, nationally, internationally in our relationships, families, businesses and so on. A time comes when you must say enough is enough. I believe strongly that this is the time. The time that the year is about to expire is a time of spiritual intensification. It is not the time to be on the fence; it is a time when you must consolidate your walk with God. It is a time of spiritual fervency, a time to call down fire. There was a king in the Bible who stayed behind during the time that kings go to battle, king David committed so much blunders that almost cost him his throne. That is exactly what happens to those who stay behind in the time when kings go to battle; they end up committing blunders.

As children of God, we are kings and priests; it is natural for kings to reign and for priests to minister in holiness. There is a story in 1 Kgs 18:20-24 that you need to reflect on from time to time especially in times like this; a time when kings go to battle, a time when the year is about to expire. “So Ahab sent unto all the children of Israel, and gathered the prophets together unto Mount Carmel. And Elijah came unto all the people and said, how long halt ye between two opinions? If the LORD be God, follow him: but if baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word. Then said Elijah unto the people, I even I only, remain a prophet of the LORD; but baal’s prophets are four hundred and fifty men. Let them therefore give us two bullocks; and let them choose one bullock for themselves and cut it in pieces, and lay it on wood, and put no fire under: and I will dress the other bullock, and lay it on the wood, and put no fire under: and call ye on the name of your gods, and I will call on the name of the LORD and the God that answereth by fire, let him be God. And all the people answered and said, it is well spoken”. A time comes in a life of man when he must confront issues as Elijah did especially issues that have mocked the image of God in your life. There is a time to say enough is enough. There is a time to draw the bloodline. There is a time to confront the powers that have held you down, a time to confront the powers that mock the image and glory of God in your life. There is a time to confront idolatry; there is a time to confront the other gods that crave your worship; these are the other gods that want to mock the real God who created the universe. There is a time to get up and confront the things that are challenging your walk with God and determine in your heart that things cannot continue the way they are, they must change for the better and align with the purpose of God for your life. That time, I believe, is now.

The Lord has been waiting for you to do what Elijah did in his time. Remember that what you tolerate, you cannot change. Be it known to you that any unfavourable situation that you accommodate has inadvertently become your tenant! A time comes when you must quit that tenant. This is the time. Change does not just come to those who desire it, change comes to those who are ready to enforce it, change comes to those who are ready to challenge the status quo. Although everybody desires a change from an unfavourable situation but how many people actually experience the change? You must hate the present unsatisfactoriness of things in your life in order to qualify for a glorious future. Elijah was not the only prophet of righteousness that was left in Israel, there were other prophets who have not bowed to baal, but they were all in hiding. Elijah was the only one who stood out; he was the only one who drew the bloodline. He was the only one that told the people if you want to serve God, serve him and if baal be God, serve him. Why put one leg in and one leg out?

There is a great syncretism in our midst today; the mixture of cultures and other things; a bit of idolatry, a bit of Christianity and a bit of other religious activities. Partial Christianity is no Christianity at all. You cannot serve Jehovah God and at the same time be a worshipper of baal. It is very wrong to worship Jehovah on the altar of baal. That was what Elijah stood against. Nobody can be outstanding who fails to stand out. 1 Kg 18:21 reads, “Then Elijah talked to them, how long are you going to waiver between two opinions? He asked the people. If the LORD is God, follow him! But if baal is God, then follow him!” how long are you going to play politics with your Christianity? How long are you going to be a compromised worshipper? How long are you going to be a traditionalist in the heart and a Churchgoer on Sunday morning? It is time to confront baal; it is time to confront idolatry.

TO BE CONTINUED . . .