Wet Wood Doesn't Burn

 Before moving to Weatherford, Brenda and I enjoyed living in the quiet community of Runaway Bay for six years. Our home had a fireplace which we used often in the winter months. During those cold months we hauled firewood from the pile into the garage. We did this for two reasons. First, it made hauling the wood into the house to be burned easier. Second, it kept the wood dry when it rained or snowed. 

We found out the hard way when we first moved into that home that wet wood does not burn. We tried in vain to get a fire started with soaked wood and all we got was a house full of smoke. Thus, we learned the lesson of moving wood into the garage as it was needed to keep it dry. 

Fire is a powerful force. Last night during Bible study we heard sirens screaming as emergency vehicles drove past the church. Turns out one of our deacon's hay field was on fire and he lost a couple of dozen round bales of hay. Grassfires are no joking matter for farmers and ranchers. In dry hot conditions like we are experiencing in Texas in July the fields are like a tinder box. Wildfires can destroy acreage, crops, and livestock. Unbelievably it suspected that someone intentionally set not only that  fire but two others down the same stretch of highway. 

I reread a story this morning that I've preached on, written about, and read several dozens of times over the years. Today it seemed fresh. You know the story of Elijah and Mount Carmel. He called for a showdown between Yahweh and Baal to see who the real God was. The prophets of Baal cried out in vain for fire to consume their offering. They were humiliated when nothing happened. 

Elijah stepped up to the plate and did some unusual things. He had a trench dug around the altar. Then he had barrels of water poured over the sacrifice and the wood not once but three times. Water soaked the wood and saturated the sacrifice. The overflowing water filled the trench. Elijah wanted to leave no doubt who the real God was. 

Without using a match, diesel fuel, or gasoline to ignite the fire Elijah used something more powerful. He prayed. A short prayer at that. You can read this story in [I Kings 18:20-39] Read verse 38 for yourself. What happened after Elijah prayed?

1 Kings 18:38 (NASB)
³⁸  Then the fire of the LORD fell and consumed the burnt offering and the wood and the stones and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench. 

Just by praying boldly and in faith God answered by sending fire. This was no ordinary puff of smoke. The fire was so intense notice what happened. The fire totally consumed the saturated wet offering. Consumed means there was nothing left of it. The fire destroyed all of it. No traces were left. The fire also burned and consumed the wet wood. WET WOOD DOES NOT BURN! That is an impossibility. Not when God is involved. The wood was consumed instantaneously. This was not a slow burn. Wet wood was no match for omnipotent God. The stones were also consumed. All twelve of them. The fire also sucked up all the water overflowing in the trench. 

I have read and preached this story numerous times. I don't know that until today I really let the magnitude and intensity of that fire really sink into my mind. It defied logical explanation. How many were awed that day. How many scratched their heads in disbelief. How many could not believe their eyes. 

Their unified response included everyone that day falling on their faces. They all bowed down in the presence of GREATNESS. In one accord they repeated, "The LORD He is God. The LORD He is God." A better way to understand it would be to say Yahweh is the Supreme Deity. 

God does not have to prove Himself to anyone. On that day He showed a watching nation who had departed from Him how powerful He was. We stand in need for God to move just as powerfully so a lost pagan world can see how powerful He still is. 

Everything Elijah did that day was a bold step of faith. Even calling for a showdown was a step of faith. He put His reputation and life on the line to stand up for God. Pouring water over everything three times was meant to leave no doubt. He confidently believed God would answer. How many of us would have shied away from such a bold move? We might have sought a compromise. Elijah acted on conviction and confidence. His courageous act of faith brought a nation to its knees. 

Might I say with God nothing is impossible. He can do whatever He wants, whenever He wants, and however He wants. He can speak creation into existence. He can part the waters of a sea. He can provide bread and quail for a starving nation of million people in the desert. He can bring water from a rock. He can calm a raging storm. He can heal the infirmed. He can raise the dead. He can deliver any number of demons. He can revive. He can move people to repentance. He can send fire and even make WET WOOD BURN. A God who can do all that can surely handle whatever trial you are facing today. I hope you will be reminded all day, sometimes when God chooses WET WOOD DOES BURN!