February 12 Daily Devotional

Monthly Theme:

Elijah's name is his mission: "My God is the LORD." Elijah teaches us the meaning of repentance by the removal of idolatry. Unless we obey the Word, God's blessings don't descend. Instead, the land will experience a terrible drought.

Bible Reading:

1 Kings 18:36–37

Bible Text:

"0 LORD, God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel; let it be known today that you are God in Israel and that I am your servant" (I Kings 18:36).

Devotional:

Some Christians are overly impressed with ecstasy in worship. On Mount Carmel, ecstasy is demonstrated by the prophets of Baal. Elijah prays with dignity and serenity.

Before Elijah prays, he makes sure the altar and its surrounding trench are soaked with (sea) water. Now it is humanly impossible to ignite a fire. But the God whose fire consumed the offering the day worship began in the tabernacle (Lev. 9:24) and the God who accepted the first sacrifice in Solomon's temple by sending fire from heaven (2 Chron. 7:1)—this same God will send fire to Mount Carmel.

Elijah steps up to the altar and calls on the God of the covenant. God's promises to the fathers are like a golden chain that binds him to Israel. God's covenant faithfulness endures forever.

Elijah prays in faith, knowing that God will answer. He prays as Jesus did when he asked his Father to raise Lazarus: "I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me" (John 11 :42). The child asks, the Father gives. God will glorify his name through our prayers.

Elijah prayed that by one mighty sign the covenant between God and his people would be restored.

Andrew Kuyvenhoven's Daylight, a modern devotional classic, was originally published in 1994. This edition is copyright by Faith Alive Christian Resources, from whom may be ordered Daylight, the predecessor of Twilight.

A man of many accomplishments, Andrew Kuyvenhoven is probably best known for his contributions to Today (formerly The Family Altar), a widely-used monthly devotional booklet associated with the Back to God Hour. Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations for this edition of Twilight are from the New International Version

Be sure to read the "Preface" and the "Acknowledgments" by the author.