God of Fire and Rain
Have you ever prayed desperately for something, only to feel like God gave you something entirely different? It’s a humbling and challenging experience. In 1 Kings 17, Elijah declares, “As the Lord, the God of Israel, lives, whom I serve, there will be neither dew nor rain in the next few years except at my word.” And just as he said, no rain came. For three years, Israel experienced a drought—not just a dry season, but an unrelenting absence of both rain and dew.
When God sent Elijah back to the people after three years, he found them wavering between worshiping God and Baal. Elijah boldly challenged them: “If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him” (1 Kings 18:21). But here’s what’s interesting: Elijah didn’t set up a contest to pray for rain—the thing they desperately needed. Instead, he proposed a challenge to reveal the true God, the one who would answer by fire.
The God Who Answers by Fire
In 1 Kings 18:24, Elijah declared, “The god who answers by fire—he is God.” Then, as the prophets of Baal cried out to their false god to no avail, Elijah prayed. In verses 38–39, we’re told:
"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!'"
Think about this for a moment. The people had prayed for rain for years, but God answered with fire. Why? Because their greatest need wasn’t water for their land—it was repentance for their hearts. Before God could send the rain, He needed to turn their hearts back to Him.
When Fire Comes Instead of Rain
How often do we pray for “rain” in our lives—for relief, provision, or a way out—and instead find ourselves facing “fire”? It’s natural to want God to meet our immediate needs, but He often addresses the deeper need first. The fire that came down in Elijah’s story consumed more than just the sacrifice. It consumed the altar, the stones, the soil, and even the precious water poured into the trench—a reminder that God’s refining fire often touches the things we hold most dear.
Trusting God's Timing and Plan
The people of Israel needed to repent and recognize God’s sovereignty. If He had simply sent the rain, they might have celebrated the blessing without surrendering their hearts. But the fire revealed His power and brought them to their knees in worship. Only after their repentance did God send the rain they so desperately needed.
"God’s fire often prepares us for His rain. The fire refines our hearts, removes what doesn’t belong, and leads us back to Him."
A Prayer for the Fire and the Rain
What about us? Are we praying for relief without first addressing the deeper need for God’s refining work in our lives? Let’s dare to pray, “God, not my will, but Yours be done,” even if that means fire comes before the rain. The fire may be uncomfortable, but it paves the way for blessings far greater than we can imagine.