Daily Devotional – ‘In His Footstep’
By Kingdom Support Initiatives (KSi)
March 13th 2021

Obedience then Fire
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. 1 Kings 18:21
Bible Reading: 1 Kings 18:22-40
In today’s devotional, we will examine the contest on Mount Carmel and how God manifested Himself to the children of Israel and their pagan king, Ahab. The Israelites were living in idolatry by worshipping Baal and  disobeying God’s commands. At God’s command, Elijah asked king Ahab to gather all Israelites unto mount Carmel including the 450 prophets of Baal for a contest. Baal prophets were to call on their god and Elijah would call on the living God and whoever answers by fire will be God. Unfortunately, Baal prophets called on their gods all day but there was no response so much that they began to tear themselves apart with knives. On the other hand, immediately prophet Elijah called on the living God, there was a response symbolized by the appearance of fire to consume the burnt offering. One might be tempted to ask if the contest was an act put together by Elijah to “show off” himself as God’s prophet? Verse 36 of today’s Bible Reading indicates that Elijah did it in obedience to God.
Dear friends, as we have chosen to follow God, we must realize that He is all powerful and that our God is a consuming fire. Just like He did for Elijah on mount Carmel, He will always show up whenever we call Him and will not disappoint His chosen ones, especially when we act in obedience to Him. Hence, we must maintain a steady relationship with God at all times in order to guarantee He we hear when He speaks to us and He hears us when we call on Him.  Elijah was confident about his God because he was obedient, he rebuilt God’s altar before calling on God (1 Kings 18:30), and God heard him immediately he prayed.
Action Point: Obedience must precede any and every move that we make for God. Are you living in obedience unto God?
Intercessory Prayer: Pray that every false prophet around you be exposed and that they turn towards the living God.
Hymn: When we walk with the Lord
In the light of his word,
What a glory he sheds on our way!
While we do his good will,
He abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and obey.
Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.