What Are You Doing Here?

I Kings 19:8-16

Elijah the prophet had just come from Mt. Carmel where he had destroyed all the prophets of Baal.

Immediately following this great victory, he heard a rumor that the Queen was going to take his life. The man of God ran in fear. 

An angel of God came to minister to Elijah and fed him with heavenly cake, which I like to call "angel food cake". The angel said he would need that heavenly food to strengthen him for his journey. We, too, need strength for the journey, and God's Word is our Heavenly Food.

Next, Elijah came to a cave at Horeb where the Lord spoke to him. "What are you doing here, Elijah?" His perception was that he alone was left to serve God, and that his life would soon be taken away. "I'm by myself", he thought, "I have been faithful and zealous for God, but I am the only one left."

Then God said, "Go out and stand on the mountain before the Lord". The Lord passed by and a great windstorm came, but the Lord was not in the wind. Then came an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake, and afterwards a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. Finally, after the fire, came a still small voice.

How often do we look for God to work in loud, dramatic ways? Yet He often comes to us in a simple, quiet way. Are we listening?

Elijah was engaging in self-pity. Then the formerly gentle voice of God became firm and gave him new marching orders. "Go, return on your way. Anoint three men, one who will become your servant and disciple." That would be the prophet Elisha. And God revealed that there were 7,000 faithful servants who had not bowed to Baal, who had not compromised their faith!

Elijah's work was not yet finished. God had more for him to do. Perhaps you, too, feel like giving up. Maybe you need to come out of the cave, out of hiding, and get back on God's Highway. He wants to use you more than you might think!

May God send laborers into His harvest.

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