“And he repaired the altar of the LORD that was broken down. And Elijah took twelve stones…and with the stones he built an altar in the name of the LORD…Elijah the prophet came near and said, ‘LORD God…let it be known this day that You are God…and I am your servant, and that I have done all these things at Your word.’ Then the fire of the LORD fell.” 1 Kings 18:30-38
If there was some type of spiritual time travel vessel available to me, I would crawl into it and direct its destination to Mount Carmel on the day Elijah stepped forward and prayed. If you have never read this story, it is definitely one of the most sparkling gems in the crown of God’s Word. The scene is the showdown of the challenges of all challenges. Four hundred and fifty worshippers of the god of Baal have been praying, screaming, crying, and cutting themselves trying to get their god to send down fire to set their offering ablaze on the altar. This hysteria went on all day long until they exhausted themselves. As I look around the grounds in my imagination, I see the blood, sweat, and tears of failure. I see those onlookers lower their head, turn, and walk away realizing that the things they trusted in were futile. And suddenly I see a small and humble man walk over to a broken altar, an altar in disarray. It is the altar of the Lord that the current culture has torn down…there are broken stones everywhere and weeds are growing up through the brokenness. As Elijah picks up a broken stone, he begins piling one upon another, stacking each stone tightly next to each other. He steps forward inviting others to help rebuild what the culture has dismantled. God’s truths have been torn down and replaced with man’s idea of god. Elijah rebuilds…Elijah repairs…Elijah recalls…Elijah prays…and the fire emblazons the restored altar!
Wait a minute! I could have sworn that I asked for time travel to Mount Carmel, but I fear I never left home. I only have to watch the news, scroll through social media, or listen to many conversations going about my day to realize that our culture has also dismantled God’s altar. No wonder we don’t see God’s fire falling from Heaven. While we are looking for His fire, He is looking for hearts who will repair altars. He is looking for those who are willing to step forward out of the blended crowd and who will pick up the broken pieces of God’s priorities using God’s truths as the building stones.
It takes courage to challenge people who have erected false gods in their lives. It takes humility to recognize when our own altars are broken. It takes intentionality to step forward and begin rebuilding our faith. And lastly, it takes prayer to ask God to send His fire back into our families…our work…our churches…our nation…our hearts. God is constantly looking for rebuilders, restorers, and resurrectors. If we build on His promises, He will send the fire.
“For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him.” 2 Ch 16:9
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