Making Way For Miracles

In our fast-paced world filled with technology like cars, smartphones, and computers, we all want everything to be quick. While exploring biblical miracles, it becomes apparent that not everything has an instant solution. Let’s look at one example of a man named Elijah and the steps he took that led to a miracle.

1 Kings 18:31-33 (NKJV): Elijah took twelve stones, one for each of the tribes descended from Jacob … With the stones he built an altar in the name of the Lord, and he dug a trench around it…  He arranged the wood, cut the bull into pieces and laid it on the wood.

Rebuild before Revival
Elijah knew that in order to activate the miracle, rebuilding the altar is a significant first step. This altar was in ruins as Israel embraced pagan cultures, forgetting the God of their forefathers and the covenant. Elijah knew of how the patriarchs before him had constructed altars in worship. One example is seen in Exodus 24, when God renews His covenant with Israel on Mount Sinai. Moses builds an altar with twelve stone pillars, symbolizing the tribes. Young Israelite men offer burnt and fellowship offerings as directed. The glory of God came down upon the mountain.

Water the Altar
1 Kings 18:33-35- Then he said to them, “Fill four large jars with water and pour it on the offering and on the wood.” Do it again,” he said, and they did it again. “Do it a third time,” he ordered, and they did it the third time. The water ran down around the altar and even filled the trench.

In a drought season, when water is priceless, Elijah surprisingly directs the pouring of 12 jars onto the altar. We see some important principles here:

• Clarity: Elijah sought to clearly underscore that YAHWEH God alone would provide the answer, setting it apart from the priests of Baal known for deceptive practices, such as creating artificial fire.
  
• Faith: Water on the altar was a sign to the people that Elijah firmly believed that YAHWEH God will do His miracle. It also was to show that no matter how impossible it is for fire to burn on wet wood, God will certainly be able to do it.

Thirty Seconds of Prayer
After setting the scene with the altar, and preparing the sacrifice, Elijah prays a short 63 words prayer:
“Lord, the 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.”

Bible scholars say that this prayer took just 30 seconds. Contrast this to how the prophets of Baal shouted and entreated their god all morning long.

Answer to prayer
1 Kings 18:38 shows the result of this prayer: 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. Now when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces; and they said, “The Lord, He is God! The Lord, He is God!”

Life Application
Have we been seeking the Lord to do some miracles for us? If so let’s examine and rebuild any broken altars. Have we replaced our altars of worship in our homes with altars of technology and comfortable living? Perhaps over the years, unbeknownest to us, the enemy has replaced the altars dedicated to prayer life and holy living, with broken altars. Let us go back to the basics mentioned in the Bible. If we align ourselves to His Word, He is faithful to meet you in the point of your need. 2nd Chronicles 16:9 says: 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.

On the other hand, are you encountering seemingly impossible situations, like wet wood resisting a fire on the altar? Take heart, for just as Elijah trusted God and witnessed His miraculous flame, your challenges can be transformed by just one divine touch. Trust in the Lord who turns impossibilities into the extraordinary. He is a God who is faithful through all generations.

Spanish version: https://dewdropsofmanna.com/spanish-pages-list/abriendo-paso-a-los-milagros/

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