Why Are You There?

Spiritual lows often follow times of spiritual highs. 

No earthly victory or success will bring complete fulfillment. 

⁹ There he came to a cave, where he spent the night. But the Lord said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” ¹⁰ Elijah replied, “I have zealously served the Lord God Almighty. But the people of Israel have broken their covenant with you, torn down your altars, and killed every one of your prophets. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me, too.” ¹¹ “Go out and stand before me on the mountain,” the Lord told him. And as Elijah stood there, the Lord passed by, and a mighty windstorm hit the mountain. It was such a terrible blast that the rocks were torn loose, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. ¹² And after the earthquake there was a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire there was the sound of a gentle whisper. ¹³ When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And a voice said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” ¹⁴ He replied again, “I have zealously served the Lord God Almighty. But the people of Israel have broken their covenant with you, torn down your altars, and killed every one of your prophets. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me, too.” ¹⁵ Then the Lord told him, “Go back the same way you came, and travel to the wilderness of Damascus. When you arrive there, anoint Hazael to be king of Aram. ¹⁶ Then anoint Jehu grandson of Nimshi to be king of Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from the town of Abel-meholah to replace you as my prophet. ¹⁷ Anyone who escapes from Hazael will be killed by Jehu, and those who escape Jehu will be killed by Elisha! ¹⁸ Yet I will preserve 7,000 others in Israel who have never bowed down to Baal or kissed him!” 1 Kings 19:9-18 NLT

Take time to examine your life. 

• Your relationship with God.
• Your relationship with your spouse.
• Your vocational life. 
• Your social life.  
• Your financial life.

Know well the condition of your flocks, and give attention to your herds, Proverbs 27:23 ESV

• You are where you are. 

 

• Invite God to search your heart. 

²³ Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. ²⁴ Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life. Psalm 139:23-24 NLT

Put yourself in a position to hear from God. 

• Not the Powerful Wind – Power scares us but its effects are momentary.

• Not the Earthquake – The urgent alarms us, but generally does not prompt long term commitment.

• Not the Fire – Memories of the past encourage us, but seldom cause us to move.

• Silent Whisper – Silence is often used by God to get our attention. 

Act upon the truth that God reveals to you. 

Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Colossians 3:23 NLT

Next Steps:

• Set aside time this week to examine your life. 
• Put into practice what you hear God say to you.