A Good Bet

An old story, a bold story

of Elijah, as showman

of Mount Carmel

setting a grand stage on which

Jehovah would tell

the tale of his power.

All smoke, no mirrors, full flame.

Theatrical, yes.

But hardly a game.

Call down fire from

the god you serve,

said Elijah

to the followers of Baal.

Then I will do the same.

The deity who sets fire to the altar

and swallows the sacrifice in flame

is the One True God.

Time to go all in

thought Elijah.

Time to set the record straight.

To stack the deck

Elijah ordered

his wood and sacrifice to be

doused in water till the altar

all but floated away.

No man can ignite wet wood.

Of course, it was no man

the prophet called on.

Label his risk calculated.

His faith, daring and confident,

invites us

to be and do likewise

because the Deliverer is true

and, as Paul reminds us

his gospel is the one

we can count on.

1 Kings 18:20–39, Galatians 1:1–12