The Spiritual Super Bowl

by Pastor Jeffrey Smith

 Answer me, Lord, answer me, so these people will know that you, Lord, are God, and that you are turning their hearts back again.” 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. When all the people saw this, they fell prostrate and cried, “The Lord—he is God! The Lord—he is God!”1 Kings 18:37-39 NIV

 

Today is the biggest day in football here in our great nation. Today, two teams will hit the field with determination to win the title of Super Bowl Champions. Today some fans will cheer, some fans will cry, and all fans will eat…a lot! Whether you’re rooting for your favorite team or just watching for the commercials, there’s something special about a day of ultimate victory.

This passage from 1 Kings 18 is what I like to call, “The Spiritual Super Bowl.” In this passage, the prophets of the false god Baal are challenging Elijah to prove that the one true God is real and more powerful than their Baal. They wanted to compete and see whose god would be able to send fire down upon a sacrifice laid on an altar.

Over the course of this challenge, the prophets scream, wail, cry, and even mutilate themselves in attempt to summon Baal’s power to light their altar on fire. Yet to no avail, not even a spark ignites on their altar. Then, when it’s Elijah’s turn, he orders that his altar be drenched in water and surrounded by water as well just so that lighting a fire would be even more impossible.

This kind of bold faith inspires me. Do we look at our impossible situations as hopeless or do we see them as opportunities for God to be glorified? Once it seems absolutely impossible that God will light a fire, He answers Elijah’s prayer and consumes the sacrifice, the altar, and even the water all around it. 

When God moved, people instantly proclaimed that He was the Lord and they honored Him. Today, no matter what challenge you face, remember that God is victorious. Nothing can stand against Him and nothing can stop Him. Have faith in His power and rest assured that He will be glorified in your situation.  Ultimate victory is found in God!

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