“How much longer will you waver, hobbling between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him! But if Baal is God, then follow him!” (1 Kings 18:21).
The true God wants your worship. The true God wants your trust and praise. So why do we spend so much effort and time appeasing other gods? It doesn’t make much sense because over and over again the true God shows himself to be the greatest and most powerful. He constantly does things better than other gods were said to do.
For example, Baal promised many things related to wealth.
Baal promised the rains. And with the rains would come good crops and much wealth. But just to show everyone who was really in control, God did the opposite of what Baal was said to do and sent a drought (1 Kings 17:1).
The people who worshipped Baal went hungry because of the drought.
But the people who worshipped God were cared for.
- God fed Elijah meat and bread delivered to him daily by carrier ravens (1 Kings 17:6).
- God also made oil and flour overflow for Elijah and his friends (vv. 14–16).
Baal even promised resurrection. But when Baal’s people died, it was God’s prophet Elijah that raised him back to life (1 Kings 17:22).
God’s people were provided for throughout the drought, and Baal’s people had a king who was wandering the countryside hoping to find some grass for the few horses and mules who hadn’t died yet (1 Kings 18:4-5).
Baal’s 450 prophets cut themselves, danced, and chanted to try to get the attention of their god. “But there was no voice. No one answered; no one paid attention” (1 Kings 18:29). Maybe Baal was going to the bathroom and would be available to his people when he was finished taking care of himself? (1 Kings 18:27).
Then it was God’s turn, and He really showed up! Fire consumed the sacrifice in response to Elijah’s prayer even after it was drenched in whatever water was left. The entire altar, not just the sacrifice was consumed.
Luke 12:29-31
29 “And don’t be concerned about what to eat and what to drink. Don’t worry about such things. 30 These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers all over the world, but your Father already knows your needs. 31 Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need.
We don’t have to get God’s attention for him to give us what we want. He already cares so deeply for you and will provide what you need. So, in response, we worship an amazing God who would do that for us!