Happy New Year. In many ways 2009 for many people was a year of constant running. The question is where were you running. Were you running towards God, or From God? In 1 Kings 19 we see how Elijah ran for 40 days out of fear of reprisals, even his life after destroying the prophets of Baal. Elijah was in effect running away from God, he had lost perspective of God’s power and protection over his life. We find him in a cave, cowering, The Earthquake, Wind and Fire, but God is not in them, finally a still small voice comes to him saying “What Are You Doing Here Elijah?”
Today is God asking the question of you – What are you doing here? Have you forgotten my purposes for your life, are you running from God. Jonah had a whale of a time when he ran from God, Not!
Take time this year to listen for the still small voice, have a breather, stop running!
1 Kings 19 vs. 9-13 – Elijah In the Cave
Then he came there to a cave and lodged there; and behold, the word of the LORD came to him,
And He said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” He said, “I have been very zealous for the LORD,
Elijah had destroyed the prophets of Baal and then fleeing Jezebel’s wrath, Elijah was all in
Tired, dejected after 40 days he came to the cave, ready to cave in, then a question the LORD had a word
Elijah had done what the LORD had told him to do, he had been zealous, over Baal had a win
Yet he was under threat, his life was at risk Jezebel wanted him dead, he was really being put to the sword
Elijah came to a cave, damp, dank, and dark, weather beaten, uncertain, hungry and thin
The word of the Lord came “What are you doing here, Elijah, He said, “I have been very zealous for the LORD,
The God of hosts; for the sons of Israel have forsaken your covenant, torn down your altars
And killed your prophets with the sword and I alone am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.
Elijah had lost focus, lost sight of God’s power, his faith receding, his trust in God did falter
He saw what he wanted to see, tears obscuring that which God desired wanted him to do and say
Despondent, afraid, what can I do in the midst of my enemies, what can I do to them alter?
For they are going to kill me, I’m the only prophet left, and they seek my life, to take it away
“So He said,” Go forth and stand on the mountain before the LORD” And behold, the LORD
Was passing by! And a great and strong wind was rending the mountains and breaking in pieces the rocks
The LORD sees all our needs, understands our fears, he is worthy of our trust, he keeps his word
Sometimes we expect God to do things in certain ways; we look for the big things that will blow our socks
We expect big things; we want to see signs and wonders, yet no eye has seen nor ear heard
No mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him, despite us, opportunity knocks
To do that which he has appointed us to do, whether it be what we imagine or not, it is to be obeyed
For God does not always reveal himself in winds which rend mountains and break into pieces the rocks
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. After the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire;
We look for a sign, it’s not a big arch with a “M”, yet how often do we stop texting and read the word?
My word is a lamp unto your feet, a light unto your path, yet how much do you it desire?
It is life giving, will you sit, will you read, will you consider, listen and then act on what you’ve heard?
Don’t expect me to shake you or light a fire underneath you, often I am not in the fire
And after the fire a sound of a gentle blowing. When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood in the entrance of the cave and behold, a voice came to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
What are you doing here? Have you heard God whisper, heard him call, or are you to busy to be still, is God about?
God is always there, like the father waiting for the prodigal to come back to him, God knows and is beside you
Mark Maffey, December 2007
(NASB)