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Consider the Cost

by Brett Fuller on May 04, 2020

After a three year drought, Elijah appears before his king, Ahab, to bring relief. In 1 Kings 18 he uses the institution of sacrifice as the means for God to provide rain. However, to ensure the true God would get the glory for ending the drought, he lets the competitor religion first petition their god for rain. Those who worshipped Baal did everything they knew to do, without success.

Elijah then prepares his sacrifice to God with one unusual addition. He asks for water to be poured on the altar. Remember, they were in a drought and water was more valuable than gold. Such a request in a drought was both insensitive and wasteful—yet right!

Elijah knew that if they did not offer to God what was most precious, neither would they receive what was most precious. Verse 38 says, everything was consumed but the water was “licked up”. To where was it taken? It became the “seed” for the harvest of rain that would break the three and one half year drought.

Lesson: Sometimes we have to give up what we need to get what we can’t live without. Live right, live well…

About the Author
Brett Fuller

Brett Fuller is the presiding Bishop of Every Nation’s family of churches in the metropolitan Washington DC area, that fall under the umbrella of the Grace Covenant Church’s purview. He also serves as Chaplain of the Washington Commanders. From 2005 to 2014 he served as Chaplain for the National Association of Basketball Coaches. In 2000, he initiated a bill in Congress to build a memorial honoring the African American Slaves who helped build America. Though the bill was never passed, he still hopes to complete the mission. Also, from 2007-2009 he served on President George Bush's Advisory Board for Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

Pastor Brett has written two devotionals: “Live Well”, and “Relate Well” and recently published two books: Dreaming in Black and White and High Ceilings. He and his lovely wife of 36 years, Cynthia, frequently conduct marriage and family seminars. Brett also coordinates relational and professional development seminars, helping leaders in every walk of life to become better leaders. He and his bride reside in Chantilly, VA, have parented 7 children and have been blessed with 2 wonderful daughter in-laws. And most recently, they have welcomed their first grandchild; Ava Lily.

 

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