What Are You Doing Here?

There he went into a cave and spent the night. And the word of YHWH came to him: “What are you doing here, Elijah?” – 1 Kings 19:9

When Elijah learned that the evil Queen Jezebel was out to kill him, he ran for his life. Perhaps he thought that God's awe-inspiring display of power on Mt. Carmel would have put the pagan Baal worshipper on her heels, but instead she erupted in a furious rage, vowing to eradicate God’s prophet once and for all.

Like many spiritual leaders, Elijah possibly assumed that he had reached a watershed moment in his ministry that would lead to Israel’s corporate repentance and revival; and while Mt. Carmel was an unbelievable display and those who were present expressed (with their lips) a renewed allegiance to God, they obviously did not engage in a prolonged repentance that would lead to any long-term transformation. As a result, Elijah was disheartened, discouraged, and perhaps a bit defeated.

It is a difficult truth, but God's work done God’s way will always face opposition; therefore, anyone involved in it (and certainly, those who lead) will be called to endure all of the attacks orchestrated by the “Accuser of the brethren.” Nevertheless, the hard task of truth-bearing must continue, so let us be filled with the Spirit of God and keep striving for what the Lord desires.

We never test the resources of God until we attempt the impossible. – F.B. Meyer