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What Doest Thou Here?, July 27
1 Kings 19:8-18
And he came thither unto a cave, and lodged there; and, behold, the word
of the Lord came to him, and he said unto him, What doest thou here,
Elijah?
1 Kings 19:9
.
Elijah’s retreat on Mount Horeb, though hidden from man, was known to
God; and the weary and discouraged prophet was not left to struggle alone with
the powers of darkness that were pressing upon him....
God met His tried servant with the inquiry, “What doest thou here, Elijah?”
I sent you to the brook Cherith and afterward to the widow of Sarepta. I com-
missioned you to return to Israel and to stand before the idolatrous priests on
Carmel, and I girded you with strength to guide the chariot of the king to the
gate of Jezreel. But who sent you on this hasty flight into the wilderness? What
errand have you here?....
Much depends on the unceasing activity of those who are true and loyal, and
for this reason Satan puts forth every possible effort to thwart the divine purpose
to be wrought out through the obedient. He causes some to lose sight of their
high and holy mission, and to become satisfied with the pleasures of this life....
Others he causes to flee in discouragement from duty, because of opposition
or persecution.... To every child of God whose voice the enemy of souls has
succeeded in silencing, the question is addressed, “What doest thou here?” I
commissioned you to go into all the world and preach the gospel, to prepare a
people for the day of God. Why are you here? ...
Of families, as of individuals, the question is asked, “What doest thou here?”
In many churches there are families well instructed in the truths of God’s word,
who might widen the sphere of their influence by moving to places in need of
the ministry they are capable of giving. God calls for Christian families to go
into the dark places of the earth and work wisely and perseveringly for those
who are enshrouded in spiritual gloom.... For the sake of worldly advantage,
for the sake of acquiring scientific knowledge, men are willing to venture into
pestilential regions and to endure hardship and privation. Where are those who
are willing to do as much for the sake of telling others of the Saviour
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Ibid., 167-173
.
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