1 Kings 19:1-4 – “Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, including a detailed account of how he killed all the prophets with the sword. ² Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah with this warning, “May the gods judge me severely if by this time tomorrow I do not take your life as you did theirs!” ³ Elijah was afraid, so he got up and fled for his life to Beer Sheba in Judah. He left his servant there, ⁴ while he went a day’s journey into the wilderness. He went and sat down under a shrub and asked the Lord to take his life: “I’ve had enough! Now, O Lord, take my life. After all, I’m no better than my ancestors.”

A simple question consumed my thoughts as I read, prayed, and pondered the Word.   Elijah had seen the miracle of rain and fire defeating the prophets of Baal.   Then, Jezabel overrode his confidence with her threats. Sometimes, we are the most vulnerable after being powerfully used by God.  Following the outpouring of God’s Spirit, there is a release of demonic presence and threats.

Elijah ran for his life.  He went into seclusion in the wilderness.  Often, seclusion is a wilderness.  Alone, he was discouraged, disappointed, and disillusioned.   The angel came and fed him twice, and in the strength of that supply, he traveled 40 days and nights to Horeb.

He entered a cave, and God appeared, asking, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”   Elijah gave his laundry list of reasons, and God wasn’t buying it. God manifested Himself to the prophet, but what captured Elijah’s attention was the voice of God—a still and quiet voice that asked, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” Again, his list of woe is me came forth.  That wasn’t the question.  

Sometimes, we are in a place God didn’t send us, distracted by the trouble around us.  God told Elijah, “You have a commission and a mission.”  The question to each of us is, “Who are we listening to?”  And “Why are you where you are doing what you are doing?”  Is it a fulfillment of His assignment, or are you running in fear?   Confidence in His call gives the courage to stand.

Psalm 25:14 -“The Lord’s loyal followers receive his guidance, and he reveals his covenantal demands to them.”

The Psalmist was facing trouble upon top of trouble.  In Psalm 25:17, he said, “My problems are going from bad to worse.”  He acknowledged that his only hope and help was God.  He declared, Psalm 25:18 – “Until You lift this burden, the burden of all my sins, my troubles and trials will be more than I can handle.  Can’t You feel my pain?”

God is asking, “Why are you where you are, doing what you are doing?”  Are we looking at our problems or our purpose?  We are commissioned; in that commission, we are secure even if all hell breaks loose against us.  He Does Not Fail.

Be encouraged; nothing is greater than God, and the more you are attacked, it just might mean you are nearing the epicenter of His purpose.  Make the choice to rejoice.  Enter that private place of Revelation Light and be Restored!

Have a fantastic day in Jesus, and guard your heart so that you listen only to the Voice of the Spirit of God, not the naysayers, including the devil.