And the word of the Lord came to him: “What are you doing here, Elijah?” He replied, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, torn down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.” The Lord said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.” Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. Then a voice said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
Elijah’s boldness and faith in confronting the prophets of Baal resulted in resounding success and mighty signs and wonders, and we see him here in a fit of post-miracle depression, hiding from the enemies his audacity has won him, feeling vulnerable and lonely. The Lord seeks him out, demonstrating to him that God’s presence does not always require a dazzling and spectacular display or accomplishment, but is there in quietness too, in the silent whisper of the heart.
And God prompts Elijah to reflect and evaluate: “What are you doing here,
Elijah?”
You might say God did not indulge Elijah but put him on the spot! This is the God who knows your name and knows where you live! There’s no escape, then – and that can be challenging. But it’s comforting too, because God loves us, and we belong to him.
Faithful God, you come looking for us. You know our story and you see how we feel. You never abandon us. When we are lonely and desolate, when we are rejected, when we are afraid, you come to find us. You bring us a new challenge, new hope, and the comfort of your company. Help us to reach deep inside at times like this, to find the faith to respond to all that your love asks of us today. In Jesus’ holy name; Amen.
