Mount Carmel stands at around 1724ft high in Northern Israel and is also known as a “Holy Mountain”. Yet, the thing that I love most about this mountain is that this is the place where Elijah challenged people to take a stand for the one true God. This can be so true, even in today’s society, because we still have many pagan gods being worshipped, and so many people waiver between the choices.
The story that we find in 1 Kings 18, tells of the false prophets who cried out to their god – Baal – all afternoon, and yet, he remained silent. Tempers would have also remained high, because Elijah then used twelve stones (as a silent reminder) to represent the split between the tribes of Israel. The ten tribes in the north call themselves Israel, yet it was initially given to all the tribes together.
So, the story of Elijah on Mount Carmel is well-known of when God flashed fire from Heaven for him. But today, let it be a reminder that we too can get caught in the trap of depending on things, other than God. Therefore, if we do this, don’t be surprised if when we reach the valleys of life, we will only be able to hear the echoes of our own desperation
Time and time again, God is the only One who provides us with true guidance and true wisdom. Therefore, I want to encourage us this morning to try and cultivate faith, in God, like Elijah. God will provide us whatever we need, and although it might not be fire from heaven, He may give us the wisdom needed to raise a Godly family, the courage to stand for truth, or even the means to help others in need
Categories: Mountains in Scripture
