Basic HTML Version
“What Are You Doing Here?”
This chapter is based on 1 Kings 19:9-18.
Elijah’s hideout on Mount Horeb was known to God, and He did
not leave the discouraged prophet to struggle alone with the powers
of darkness. At the cave where Elijah had taken refuge, God met
with him through a mighty angel to inquire into his needs and to
make plain God’s plans for Israel.
Elijah could not complete his work until he learned to trust
entirely in God. The triumph on Carmel had opened the way for still
greater victories, yet Jezebel’s threat had turned Elijah away from
the wonderful opportunities opening before him. The man of God
needed to understand the position of strength the Lord wanted him
to have.
“What are you doing here, Elijah?” I sent you to the brook
Cherith and to the widow of Zarephath. I commissioned you to stand
before the idolatrous priests on Carmel and to guide the chariot of
the king to Jezreel. But who sent you into the wilderness? What
errand do you have here?
In bitterness Elijah complained, “I have been very jealous for
the Lord God of hosts; for the children of Israel have forsaken Your
covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the
sword. I alone am left; and they seek to take my life.”
The angel told the prophet to stand and listen to the Lord’s word.
“And, behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore
into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the Lord,
but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake,
but the Lord was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a
fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small
voice.”
By “a still small voice” God chose to teach Elijah that the most
successful work is not always the one that makes the greatest demon-
stration. Elijah’s anger was silenced, his spirit subdued. He now
79