Faith and confidence…. (devo reflection)

1 Kings 18:32 With the stones he built an alter in the name of the LORD, and he dug a trench around it….
It would be easy to marvel at the faith of Elijah in this chapter—that he had the faith to call on God in this way, the absolute confidence that God would show up in a powerful way, is evident and astounding. But if you look back at 1 Kings 17, you will see how that faith was built. It didn’t just happen. It wasn’t a fluke. God called Elijah. Elijah heeded the call—he sought, he listened, he trusted, he obeyed, and his faith grew.
1 Kings 18:33 He arranged together wood, cut the bull into pieces and laid it on the wood. Then he said to them, “Fill four large jars with water and pour it on the offering and on the wood.”
It’s also important to note that what happened in 1 Kings 18 wasn’t Elijah‘a will, it was God’s will. In verse 36, Elijah says: “LORD…let it be known today that you are God in Israel and that I am your servant and have done all these things at Your command.” He wasn’t imposing his own will and hoping God would show up. He was so in tuned with God’s will, that he knew God would show up in a big way because this was God’s plan all along.
1 Kings 18:36-37 At the time of the sacrifice, the prophet Elijah stepped forward and prayed: “LORD, God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, let it be known today that you are God in Israel and that I am your servant and have done all these things at Your command. Answer me, LORD, answer me so these people will know that You, LORD, are God, and that You are turning their hearts back again.”
Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. Thank You for this example of how faith and trust in You are built and how powerfully You can use us when we are acting in Your will and not our own. Continue to show me how to seek, ask, knock, listen, discern Your will, and draw closer to You. Help me to shine Your Light. Amen.
1 Kings 18:38 Then the fire of the LORD fell and burned up the sacrifice, the wood, the stones and the soil, and also licked up the water in the trench.
Have a blessed day.