Turning Hearts Back to God: A Consuming Fire
I stepped into the oversized paws, pulled the furry costume over my legs, and inserted my arms. Yet, I waited until the last second to put the head piece in place, wanting plenty of air for as long as possible.
Feeling a tad claustrophobic, and with limited vision through the mesh eyes, I asked someone to lead me to the designated area. Once we reached our destination, my instructions included: wave, nod, shake hands, give high fives, and pat heads. But no speaking—someone else spoke on my behalf.
So an excited group of pre-schoolers gathered around me to meet Smokey Bear. My son, Caleb, three-years-old at the time, hugged one of my legs. While I patted his head, he remained clueless Mom stood underneath Smokey’s fur, blue jeans, and forestry hat.
Smokey spent the last 75 years telling kids not to play with matches, warning about campfires, and reminding us, Only You Can Prevent Wildfires.
Although my bear-costume-wearing days ended, I continued to possess a healthy fear of fire.
Fire From Heaven
And one of my favorite Bible stories describes a showdown of epic proportions involving fire from heaven in 1 Kings 18.
King Ahab reigned over Israel. Sent by the Lord, the prophet Elijah told Ahab he troubled all of Israel because he “abandoned the commandments of the LORD and followed the Baals”(1 Kings 18:18b).
Elijah called for all of Israel to gather at Mount Carmel along with 450 prophets of Baal and 400 prophets of Asherah (verse 19).
Then, Elijah spoke on God’s behalf.
“And Elijah came near to all the people and said, ‘How long will you go limping between two different opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him.’ And the people did not answer him a word. Then Elijah said to the people, ‘I, even I only, am left a prophet of the Lord, but Baal’s prophets are 450 men’” (1 Kings 18:21-22).
Now, for the showdown details.
The prophets of Baal and Elijah would each prepare an altar with wood and a bull by cutting the animal in pieces—with no fire put to it. Instead, Elijah gave instructions to “call upon the name of your god, and I will call upon the name of the Lord, and the God who answers by fire, he is God” (verse 24).
Though the prophets of Baal began by preparing the altar and offering. And calling out to their god from morning until noon, there was no voice, and no one answered (verse 26).
Calling Down Fire
It was Elijah’s turn. He took twelve stones and built an altar in the name of the Lord. Also, he made a trench around the altar. Elijah placed the wood and prepared the bull. Three times he said, “Fill four jars with water and pour it on the burnt offering and on the wood” until “the water ran around the altar and filled the trench also with water” (1 Kings 18:33-35).
The crowd gathered around Elijah to watch. Spoiler alert: Baal never had a chance against the Almighty.
Look at 1 Kings 18:36b-39,
“‘O Lord, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known this day that you are God in Israel, and that I am your servant, and that I have done all these things at your word. Answer me, O Lord, answer me, that this people may know that you, O Lord, are God, and that you have turned their hearts back.’ Then the fire of the Lord fell and consumed the burnt offering and the wood and the stones and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench. And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces and said, ‘The Lord, he is God; the Lord, he is God’” (Emphasis mine).
The people fell on their faces and said, The Lord, he is God; the Lord, he is God. 1 Kings 18:39 #Lord #GodIsGreat Click To TweetWow! Even box office movies pale in comparison to the imagery here.
God’s a Consuming Fire
The Scriptures describe God as a consuming fire:
- When Moses warned against idolatry, “For the Lord your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God” (Deuteronomy 4:24).
- When God went before the Israelites overtaking the people living in the Promised Land. “Know therefore today that he who goes over before you as a consuming fire is the LORD your God” (Deuteronomy 9:3). And not because of the Israelites righteousness. But because God is a righteous God (verses 4-5).
- And worshipping the one true God in Hebrews 12, “Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire” (verses 28-29).
God’s Awe and Fire in Our Lives
What about us? Sometimes idolatry is present in our lives. No, we may not worship Baal. Yet something takes precedence over God. God’s holiness is a consuming fire ready to devour everything we place before Him.
Whether God’s children walk in disobedience to His righteousness. Or, as the world becomes more steeped in idol worship of people, things, and other gods.
God’s waiting for us to:
- Hit our knees and fall on our faces. We recognize God’s righteousness and holiness to cover our sins, transform us, and intervene in our messed-up world.
- Raise our hands and reset our hearts. We posture ourselves before a Holy God who is worthy of awe, reverence, and worship.
- Know God and call on Him. We quit limping between two different opinions—the world and the Word. We know who God is and call down His fire so hearts—ours and others—are turned back to Him. “The Lord, he is God; the Lord, he is God” (1 Kings 18:39b).
How can you make God a consuming fire in your life?
*All Scripture ESV.
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© 2019 by Karen Friday, All rights reserved
I have never understood this part of the Bible until you explained it in depth. Thank you for the comparison at the beginning and breaking it down!
Hey Jessie, sometimes it’s hard to read and study the Old Testament. But I absolutely love this particular story in 1 Kings 18 and smile every time I call it a showdown on the mountain. It’s so amazing to think of God as a consuming fire…then and now. May He be an all encompassing and consuming fire in our lives. So much so, there’s no doubt who we call God.
Great article. God is amazing with what He does for all of us. Fire can be good when it cleanses us.
Thank you, Jann. Yes, I agree how God’s refining fire has so many cleansing elements…to purify us. But also, He IS that consuming fire in holiness and righteousness. “Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.” Hebrews 12:28-29
Amen. I pray we all fall on our knees in prayer and thanksgiving to God.
Yes! Let’s hit our knees and fall on our faces. And recognize God’s righteousness and holiness to cover our sins, transform us, and intervene in our messed-up world.
Revelation 3:16 (NKJV) “So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.” Amen Ms. Karen! Let our God be all consuming in our lives. Let Him fan the flames of His fire in our hearts. What a wonderful message ma’am. It’s going to be difficult to sit here in my office and type today. I am wont to run and shout “He’s coming!” to the world right now. Thank you so much for this important and timely message sweet sister in Christ.
Revelation 3:16 is such a humbling and sobering scripture, J.D. I, too, pray the Lord fans the flames of fire in our hearts for Him and to point others to a Holy God. “The Lord, he is God; the Lord, he is God.” 1 Kings 18:39b
I love this reminder of the holiness of our God, Karen. Over the years, I have embraced the idea of God as our friend and Father. This is wonderful but can be a problem if we lose sight of the fact that He is HOLY.
Also, I had to smile thinking of you dressing up as Smokey the Bear! How fun 🙂
Blessings, my friend!
Agree, Beckie. God as heavenly Father and friend are so comforting. Reminding ourselves often of God’s holiness above all else plays a vital role in our perspective. Let’s raise our hands (and voices) and reset our hearts. And posture ourselves before a Holy God who is worthy of awe, reverence, and worship. Yes, my debut as Smokey was fun but short-lived. 🙂 God bless!
I absolutely love that story in the Bible, Karen, and so enjoyed your paraphrase of it here. Yes, God is a consuming fire – may our hearts be consumed by the fire of His love!
Blessings!
Martha, it is such a great story. I pray we know fully who God is and call down His fire so hearts—ours and others—are turned back to Him. Our world could sure use hearts on fire for the Lord.
You’re right, Karen. Our modern-day “Baal” can wear many disguises, even good ones. Remembering God’s holiness and what He requires from us as we keep this truth at the forefront of our hearts and mind.
Oh, Cathy, there’s no doubt we have our modern-day Baals. I like how you said, “even good ones.” Yet, anyTHING that scoots God out of the spotlight is idolatry in our heart. God’s holiness is a consuming fire ready to devour everything we place before Him. Thanks for commenting!
I love that passage about Elijah too, Karen. God is so powerful, and we are right to have a reverence for Him. Standing with Him is the only way to go. Thanks and God bless!
Thanks, Nancy. I’ve read the passage many times, but this time through was when I first noticed Elijah asking the people how long they would limp between two different opinions. Namely, Baal or the God. And we may also limp between the world and the Word or those hidden gods we might put trust in without even realizing it.
We so often forget about the “harsher” sides to God’s character. But I love that our God is willing to rain down fire for the sake of His Name! And it’s an amazing reminder to have a fear of the Lord that leads to worship and the banishment of all idols from my life.
Amen, Emily. Whether God’s children walk in disobedience to His righteousness. Or, as the world becomes more steeped in idol worship of people, things, and other gods. God’s waiting for us to call down His fire so hearts—ours and others—are turned back to Him.
Such a powerful Bible story and a powerful reminder that God is…Almighty God! How easy we slide into a casual nod at the Lord, as we go about our day. Yet He exists in unapproachable light. Thank you for highlighting this passage to remind us our God is a consuming fire and He deserves our worship, awe, fear and reverence, in full measure. Oh Lord, give us a fresh vision of Your majesty and holiness that we may worship you as you deserve! Thank you, Karen, for your clear and passionate Biblical teaching and excellent life applications!
Appreciate your kind words and encouragement, Melissa. And as always, your input is valuable. When Elijah told the king the reason for the country’s trouble was because he had “abandoned the commandments of the LORD and followed the Baals,” I thought about our world today. When a country and its leaders, or masses of people continue to abandon God’s commands and refuse to worship the only true and Holy God, trouble and evil prevail. Right now, it’s rampant around the world. And it may just take a spiritual fire from the Lord of hosts to light a fire in His people, turn hearts back to Him, and draw light-seekers to the light!
Elijah is such a faithful man! I love this whole scene. I cannot imagine the depth of his faith to wet that wood and then call on the Lord to burn it. His confidence in God was unshakable! Thanks for repeating this bit of history that sets an example we cannot deny and shows the power of God as well as His faithfulness to His people.
Beth, that’s a great observation about Elijah’s unwavering and great faith in God. He is an example to pray for the same kind of unshakable confidence in our God who is matchless and worthy of praise; and who is powerful and able to do all things!
Preach, sister! Such a powerful post, Karen! How easily we are sucked into the ways and reasoning of our culture if we aren’t turning repeatedly toward God, fixing our mind on him and his ways, and deliberately walking in them. Choose you this day whom you will serve! It’s a daily choice. We can’t make a one-time decision and then coast through life. Will we serve Jesus today? Will we walk in his steps? Thank you for this powerful imagery of Elijah and the prophets of Baal! And thank you for this important reminder!
Thank you, Melinda. And I love how you took Joshua 24:15 and make the point that serving the Lord is a “daily” choice! That’s good! It really isn’t a one-time decision, then coast through. Because serving and worshipping the Lord should never have a period. It continues daily on the Christian journey: choosing between God and idols, choosing between God and others, choosing between the world and the Word, and choosing between our agenda and God’s will.
First of all, this post was inspiring! Thank you so much! I love the part where you say, “God’s people limp between two different opinions – the world and the Word.” So very true. I see it even in my church. The opinions of others and what they read on social media trump the Word of God. Many say they don’t have time to read God’s word, but yet, they have plenty of time to scroll through Facebook. Oh, the emptiness of this pattern! Wonderful post; it truly ministered to me! 🙂
Marcie, your thoughts are so spot on. We Christians do well to guard our hearts against opinions of the world, even on social media. God’s truth always trumps any opinion out there! Always! Thanks for commenting and sharing your insight!
An intense and inspiring scene!
It really is, Robin. Who says the Bible or the Old Testament has to be boring! 🙂 Thanks for commenting.
It was wonderful to remember the simple truth that we need to choose between the world and the Word. When we go back and forth, we are only missing out on God’s best for us.
Rebecca, it is simple yet powerful all at the same time. The world’s opinions and culture’s voice often sneak into our lives in subtle ways. But that doesn’t negate the fact that God’s Word is holy and true and meant to be believed and obeyed by His children.
Loved this, Karen! How sweet of you to be Smoky the Bear for your son’s class! Maybe you could do it for your grandson’s class someday too! 😉
Thank you for reminding us of how powerful and consuming our God is! I want Him to consume all that is within me so that everyone can smell the “smoke of God” on my breath and life! Hugs to you, friend! I’ll be pinning for sure!
Ha ha, Beth. Foster is in preschool now 2 days a week. But not sure if they do Smokey’s program. 🙂 Yes, may God consume every part of us and light a fire in our hearts and souls! Hugs and blessings to you!
Elijah and the prophets of Baal has always been one of my favorite stories too. Fire is such a powerful metaphor! Fire used for good purposes is a valuable tool, but in the wrong hands, it’s deadly.
Lisa, I remember teaching this story at VBS a few years ago. All the different age groups rotated to a different theme room each night, so I shared the same story to every class. I remember thinking I had the best story of all! And I loved every minute of highlighting God’s power and victory!
What a great post! Elijah’s confidence and trust in God never ceases to amaze me. He is one of my Bible favorites. I love how you used the all consuming fire to explain how it works in our every day lives. I always enjoy reading your material. Thank you!
Thank you, Holly. I hope to put full confidence in the Lord like Elijah! He sure modeled complete trust in God’s ability and power!
This is a powerful post, and a great challenge to consider what idols we might be in danger of worshipping.
Lesley, anything that scoots God out of the spotlight is idolatry in our heart. Thanks for commenting!
I love this story of Elijah. Such a good reminder to not have any of our modern idols ahead of God.
So true, Bella. Like how you said, “our modern day idols.” Just because we don’t bow to a physical statue doesn’t mean we are free from idol worship.
Karen,
I continually pray that my heart would not be lukewarm, but be on fire for the Lord. We can’t muster up the fire on our own, it is a work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. By being in the Word and in communion with the Lord is the best way to keep fanning the flames. Great post!
Blessings,
Bev xx
Hey Bev, Amen, sister! We fan the flames through the Scripture and God’s presence. May the Holy Spirit rain down a consuming fire in our hearts and over our lives.
Thank you for the reminder that God requires holy worship–that awe inspired by his majesty and gentleness.
I like that term, Anita, “holy worship.” Moses warned God’s children about idolatry, and God wants us to heed the same warning in our lives and hearts when it comes to what or who we worship: “For the Lord your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God” (Deuteronomy 4:24).