Do you recall the stories of Elijah where he raised a young boy from the dead or called fire down from heaven? During his time on this earth, he was the voice of God, telling those around him to repent and seek God. He knew God’s power firsthand, yet he was found hiding in a cave at one point in his story. He had been a part of some incredible displays of God’s power, but he hid in a cave when Jezebel threatened his life. Although he had been involved in many dramatic miracles, he was ready to throw in the towel. He expressed concern that he alone was working for God’s kingdom, and that seemed a task too big for him.
God speaks to Elijah while sitting in the cave and asks him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” Elijah, who has witnessed God in action, moans about his situation. God tells him to go outside because He will make His presence known, and Elijah leaves the cave. God shows His power with windstorms, crashing rocks, earthquakes, lightning, and fire. All this happens before Elijah’s eyes, but he cannot see God and returns to the cave. As Elijah huddles in the corner, he hears a whisper, and God asks him again, “What are you doing here.” God, who had been with Elijah for a long time, seemed to have slipped from Elijah’s mind. He feared a woman who threatened Him, not the God who called Him. He was somehow disconnected from his source of purpose.
When you read Elijah’s story, you could become discouraged, wondering what chance we have in sharing the gospel when someone like Elijah wants to give up. Sometimes, we have days when, following prayer and thanksgiving, we enter the world, look around at the people or things we have prayed about and see no change. We may question our usefulness and ask ourselves, “Why bother.” When Elijah thinks, “Why bother?” God reminds him that he has a purpose linked to serving Him and that we need to listen, trust, and obey whether we see results.
God invited us from the beginning to remain in Him. His solution to our confidence issue was the offer to talk with Him. He does not expect us to do His work on our own power nor does He expect us to do life alone. He invites us to get connected and stay connected with Him, and we can do this through prayers of adoration, thanksgiving, contrition, lament, guidance, deliverance and petition.
Talk with God often, and with a humble heart seek to minister under His authority and with His power.
