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Read: 1 Kings 18:30-39
Listen: 1 Kings 18

When all the people saw this, they fell prostrate and cried, “The LORD—he is God! The LORD—he is God!” 1 Kings 18:39

The epic showdown continues as Baal’s prophets fail. Their sacrifice remains untouched. Now it’s Elijah’s turn. Inviting the people to come close, he rebuilds the altar to Yahweh using twelve stones. Each one represents the twelve tribes of Israel and serves as a reminder of who God is and what he has done for them. Elijah soaks the altar in water and prays. He calls to the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, again reminding Israel of their calling and of their faithful, promise-keeping God. Immediately, the fire of God falls and consumes everything. As the hearts of the people turn back to Yahweh, rain begins to fall.

We also need to remember who God is and what he has done for us. We are guaranteed to forget God when idols take up real estate in our hearts. The only way to evict them is to keep our hearts aligned with Jesus. We do that by remembering how God has met our needs. The greatest way he meets our needs is through Jesus. Through belief in Jesus’s life, death and resurrection we regain right standing with God. Through Jesus, we find the approval we long for and the security we crave. Like Israel, we are invited to remember and respond in worship.

TODAY: Return to God. If you have never accepted the gift of salvation and made Jesus the Lord of your heart, you can pray to him now. Ask for forgiveness and invite him into your life. If you have already made him the Lord of your life, join Ada Bible Worship in remembering God’s goodness by singing “Goodness of God.”