Desperate: All Consuming Fire

Desperation for God isn’t an emotional high or a moment in a church service; it’s a posture of the heart that says “I want You, God,” in the flow of everyday life. On the drive to work, in the gym, at the breakfast meeting, on the Zoom call, at the school drop-off: you don’t have to add something new to pursue God, you simply invite Him into what’s already in your day.

When God comes, everything that is not of Him is consumed by His glory. That’s what we see in 1 Kings 18, when Elijah stood on Mount Carmel to confront the prophets of Baal. Israel was living in compromise, half devoted to God, half chasing idols, and Elijah called them out: “How long will you waver between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him.”

The people were silent. They hadn’t fully rejected God, but they hadn’t fully chosen Him either. And that’s the danger, living divided, limping between two loves. Elijah rebuilt the altar, soaked the sacrifice with water three times, and prayed a simple prayer: that God would show Himself as Lord and turn the hearts of the people back. God answered with fire from heaven that consumed the sacrifice, the stones, the water, everything, and the people fell on their faces crying, “The Lord, He is God!”

Revival looks like hearts awakened to the truth of who God is.

Elijah’s faith was bold because he had no backup plan. If God didn’t show up, he would die on that mountain. That’s what it means to be “all in.” To want God means holding nothing back: no divided loyalties, no hidden idols, no safety nets. It means saying, “God, You can have it all, my life, my future, my reputation, my plans.”

God is all in, too. The same word used in the text for “wavering” is used in Exodus 12 for “passing over.” When God passed over the homes marked by blood, He was already demonstrating that He doesn’t waver, He commits. On the cross, Jesus became the final sacrifice, proving that God has gone all in for us.

Even after this remarkable showdown, Elijah faced fear and discouragement. Jezebel’s threat made him run, convinced he was the only one left. But God reminded him there was still a remnant of 7,000 people who had not bowed to Baal (see 1 Kings 19:14-18). God always has a faithful people, even when it feels like you’re standing alone. You are not the last one.

And so the invitation stands: Don’t faint. Don’t quit. Keep looking for the rain. Elijah sent his servant seven times before the cloud appeared, and each time he said, “Go back.” Faith keeps looking when nothing seems to change.

When the fire comes, everything that isn’t of God will burn away, and what’s left will be pure—a house where His presence can dwell again. Say again today, “I want You, God,” and let Him consume everything that isn’t Him.