photo: http://www.tonycooke.org
And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the LORD. And, behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in 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: And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice. And it was so, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave. And, behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here, Elijah? (1Kings 19:11-13 KJV)
Introduction
The question the Lord put to Elijah speaks to me. Elijah had, in the previous couple of weeks leading up to this moment, been used of God to defeat over 400 prophets of Baal but now had fled to Mt. Horeb in fear due to the threats of the wicked queen Jezebel. James said that Elijah was a man subject to like passions as we are. Too many times we let the devil and this world get us cornered in a cave. It is so easy to get in the cave and the roaring wind, shaking of the earth, and fires in our lives seem to drown out all else.
Elijah Syndrome
We, like Elijah, can even get to the point of saying to ourselves, ‘What’s the use?’ I personally have had to deal with some pretty heavy stuff in this past year that reminded me that I am not in control. It is funny how over time we get the impression that somehow we are in control. It is easy to lose focus in these ‘valleys’ we sometimes find ourselves in. To get to a point where you feel like your all alone in the struggle to live right and serve the Lord. Elijah at one point said, “…I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: for the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.” (I Kings 19:10)
Final Thoughts
Men and women of the sovereign Lord Jesus Christ, to whom we owe all fealty, we must become jealous for the Lord (as Elijah put it). That is we must not be willing to settle for anything less than the fullness of His presence and to hear that still small voice. The devil is tricking and goading us into the wrong fights or worse, into not fighting at all.
I find in many times over the past year I have allowed events in my life to cause me to run to the caves of Mt. Horeb. And now as I read God’s word, I hear that still small voice, a voice that could turn to the roaring sound of many waters at His choosing, speak to me, a called man of God. And guess what? The message is the same…”What doest thou here?”
I want to finish well. I pray that all of God’s people finish well… to be able to say as Paul once did, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished my course!” Leonard Ravenhill once said, “To the question, “Where is the Lord God of Elijah?” we answer, “Where He has always been – on the throne!” But where are the Elijahs of God?”
THINK ON THESE THINGS…
A Fellow Servant
Servants' Journal 
Lila
March 13, 2014 at 8:26 am
I love this! I have been reading and re-reading over and over again, Isaiah 6…God on His throne. And I’ve recently realized my lack of control, as well…what perfect timing! Of course, I’m not surprised…God is good!
A Fellow Servant
March 13, 2014 at 8:33 am
Amen. God is good all the time. I love Isaiah 6 too. Whenever we can get a vision of God in holiness with our eyes of faith, it should cause us to react much like Isaiah. Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts. (Isaiah 6:5 KJV) God is so good. Thanks for sharing this morning.
abundantlife
March 13, 2014 at 8:32 am
Oh, I so understand!!! I really do! The LORD has stripped me like you would not believe… but I now see it is all for His pleasure, to serve Him more fully. Bless you, brother, and thanks for sharing. May GOD restore all that the locusts have eaten.
A Fellow Servant
March 13, 2014 at 8:36 am
Amen. Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created. (Revelation 4:11 KJV)
abundantlife
March 13, 2014 at 8:37 am
Amen – thank you for sharing His Word of Life
A Fellow Servant
March 13, 2014 at 8:38 am
And you as well my friend.
abundantlife
March 13, 2014 at 8:35 am
Reblogged this on ABUNDANT LIFE LIVING.
A Servant
March 13, 2014 at 8:36 am
Thank you for the reminder brother. There is so much evil in the world; it is easy to say “what’s the use”. May God provide us a loving kick to the backside like He did Elijah.
A Servant
A Fellow Servant
March 13, 2014 at 8:41 am
Amen brother. He is worthy of our “utmost for His highest” as Oswald Chambers once put it.
A Servant
March 13, 2014 at 8:42 am
Now I know why you didn’t come for prayer Tuesday, you were in a cave. 🙂
A Fellow Servant
March 13, 2014 at 8:47 am
Yes. Brings new meaning to the term ‘man cave’ for it is usually our rut we’ve dug to start with. 🙂 I’m thankful for good and Godly friends like yourself.
SLIMJIM
March 13, 2014 at 7:33 pm
Elijah’s story is one that encourages me to stand for Him
Garry Snow
March 13, 2014 at 8:42 pm
Great challenging preaching. I have often prayed for many professed saints wondering if they would do the will od God if they heard Jesus Himself tell them in an audible voice what his will was for them. For you my son I am so thankful to be able to pray, Lord show him your will and he will do it! God bless you as you listen to His voice.