The answer is: Lighting a fire

1 Kings 18

Elijah’s showdown with the prophets of Baal in 1 Kings 18 is one of the most dramatic encounters in the Bible. Picture a blazing sun over Mount Carmel as Elijah challenges Baal’s champions to a contest of divine empowerment. The task? To call down fire from heaven to consume a sacrifice. While the prophets of Baal shouted, danced, and even cut themselves in fervent desperation, nothing happened. Talk about a tough crowd!

Yet Elijah didn’t just sit back and enjoy the show; he constructed his altar, drenching it with water to demonstrate the power of his God. When he finally prayed, fire fell from the sky so ferociously that it not only consumed the sacrifice but also the wood, stones, and even the water in the trench around the altar. This miraculous event showcased not just a victory over Baal but demonstrated an overwhelming truth: the God of Israel is alive and powerful.

Interestingly, this story has echoes throughout history. In ancient cultures, rituals like this were common. Fire was thought to be a means of communication with the divine. But Elijah's unique approach—especially the water-soaking part—asks more profound questions about faith and belief under pressure.

Moreover, this story demonstrates the heart of Israel’s prophetic tradition, emphasizing a direct and personal connection between the divine and humanity, urging followers to trust in a personal God rather than empty rituals and announcements of idolatry. Each day can be a new test about the things we truly believe.