Day Thirty-two = Mis-placed Passion

And they cried aloud and cut themselves after their custom with swords and lances, until the blood gushed out upon them. And as midday passed, they raved on until the time of the offering of the oblation, but there was no voice. No one answered; no one paid attention. (1 Kings 18:28-29)

Passion is a great thing. To love something and do it with your whole heart can be a fulfilling endeavor. The people we read about in 1 Kings were very passionate. Certainly if ever there was an award given for passion these people would take home the trophy. And the Grammy for most passionate display goes to… The prophets of Baal! They tried everything they could think of to get their god to respond to them. They were turned inside out, they were bent over backwards, they were at the end of their rope, and they were all out of sacrificial options.

Covered in self-inflicted wounds they stood before the altar bursting with sacrifices, and still their god did not hear them. Elijah was standing there the whole time, patiently waiting for the prophets of Baal to conclude their worship service. When the worship activity for Baal calmed down Elijah must have looked around as if to say: everyone done now… Any last offerings… No… nothing? With a calm but firm stride Elijah approached the altar, calling for assistance as he carefully rebuilt the altar of the Lord. Once everything was in place Elijah looked to the heavens and asked God to reveal Himself. Instantly the prayer was answered. God consumed the entire altar wood, water, sacrifice and all with fire streaming down from the heavens.

Sometimes our passions can be misplaced. Think of the things you are passionate about. What is on the top of your list? The things we are passionate about can very easily become idols to worship. Don’t be like the prophets of Baal wasting your precious time passionately worshipping the wrong things in your life. Place your passion, and your worship first with the Almighty God and he will open the heavens and stream powerful fire into your life!