Pretending a cardboard box is a spaceship is a lot of fun. But imagine praying to that box, or singing worship songs to a Twinkie! That sounds silly, right? In Elijah’s day, lots of people were praying to fake gods. Elijah’s story shows us that the God of the Bible is the one true God, and he’s the only one who deserves our worship.
A Showdown on the Mountain
Many people in Israel had started worshiping a made-up god named Baal. So God’s prophet Elijah set up a contest on Mount Carmel. The prophets of Baal built an altar, and Elijah built one too. Whichever god sent fire from heaven would be the real God.
1 Kings 18:21 Elijah went before the people and said, “How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him.” But the people said nothing.
The prophets of Baal shouted and danced all day long, but nothing happened. Then Elijah poured water all over his altar and prayed a simple prayer. Fire fell from heaven and burned up everything, even the water!
1 Kings 18:39 When all the people saw this, they fell prostrate and cried, “The LORD—he is God! The LORD—he is God!”
Worship the Real God
Today most people don’t bow down to statues. But we can still let things like toys, games, or screens become more important to us than God. God says, “You shall have no other gods before me” (Exodus 20:3). We worship him when we sing to him, pray to him, and obey him.
The Takeaway
The God of the Bible is the one true God, and he deserves first place in your heart. This week, do a “God Check.” When you notice you love something more than anything else, ask yourself, “Can this save me? Or did God make me?”
