The 'Elijah Challenge'

An Elijah Challenge

I read recently about a church where the young, 17-21 year olds, were completely out of control. Tobacco, alcohol, and worse, were the order of the day. When asked how to stop it and turn the young people back towards God, the answer came “It’s time for an Elijah Challenge!” Let us just say that the end result turned out the same way as Elijah’s challenge to Israel in 1 Kings 18 – God won.

Are we allowing God to be God or are we trying to do His job for Him? Are we seeing the challenge and, like the prophets of Baal, driving ourselves demented in our own efforts to get the answer we want? Or are we, like Elijah, issuing the challenge on God’s behalf, and then standing back trusting Him to answer in His own power?

Do we have faith to even ask the question let alone bank on the answer? Do we hear clearly enough from God to trust Him that much? After all, our entire credibility can rest on the result. Yet, wait a moment. If God really does say to you to issue an Elijah challenge, do you really think He is about to shout “Olé” as He whips His protection away at the last moment? No, no, no. If God says something to us; asks us to go out on a limb for Him, He is putting His own reputation on the line. Last I heard, when God puts His own reputation on the line, He doesn’t make any mistakes.

I wonder if you, like me, feel faith rising right now? I wonder if you, like me, would actually dare step out in faith, take God at His word, and issue the challenge – relying entirely on God’s integrity for the answer. His power is never questioned, but His promises are always questioned. “Oh, I know God CAN do it, but I just doubt He will do it for ME.”

Do you doubt that God sent Jesus here for us? Do you doubt that Jesus died and rose again for us? Do you doubt you have eternal life through that atoning death and resurrection? Do you doubt that God DOES heal today? Do you doubt that miracles DO occur today? These are all things He first promised and then delivered. God spoke and then put Himself on trial. If any of these things didn’t happen then God was a liar. So – I guess you don’t doubt them then?

So why do you doubt when God asks YOU to do things for Him? This is when we really do have to die to self and let Him be seen. This is where the rubber really hits the road isn’t it? Because if WE are not prepared for a few Elijah challenges and Elijah moments in our life, then our faith is worth little. Our faith becomes little more than hot air and bluster doesn’t it?

I hope and pray that when my next Elijah moment comes, that my faith is up to the challenge that faced Elijah. It will come to all of us eventually. Will we stand the test?

Exciting prospect isn’t it?