So many times after great victory, we find ourselves plunged into the pit of depression or fear of some sort. Why is that so? I really do not think that you have to be a prophet to conclude that the reason is simple. We are mortal; subject to change. Contrariwise, our God is immortal, and changes not. You see, our victories are in reality His victories because He always causes us to triumph in Christ.
Nonetheless, in our humanity we find ourselves having peaks and valleys. When we are in those dark seasons of life, where do we go? Who do we turn to? If I turn my attention within, that just deepens the pit.
When the prophet Elijah gained that great victory over the prophets of Baal and Asherah (on the groves) … (see 1 Kings 18), he was on what you and I would call a “spiritual high”, or “on a roll”. He probably felt indestructible; perhaps (may I suggest) even a little self-confident. However, God has ways to bring us down off our spiritual high horses. (He hates pride, you know.) A wicked woman named Jezebel threatened the prophet and he ran for his life. He had just defeated 850 ambassadors of the devil, and now he runs away from one angry woman! As you read 1 Kings 19, you will see that Elijah ends up in a cave. In fact, Scripture says that he lodged there In his fear, he gives himself the classic “pity party” and tells God just how zealous he was for Him. He then cries for help because his life is in jeopardy.
God tells him to go and stand on the mountain before Him. A series of events then occurred: a strong wind tore off portions of the mountain, but the Lord was not in the wind; then an earthquake took place, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; lastly, a fire took place, but the Lord was not in the fire.
We often find ourselves running for our lives and hiding in caves of isolation and pity. In those times, our problems seem like hurricanes, earthquakes and fires for sure. Thank God that the story doesn’t stop there. After all of these events,
Elijah heard a still small voice. Do you know that the voice said, “Elijah, what are you doing here?”
Reader – Christian or non-Christian – are you in a cave of sorts? A cave of spiritual confusion perhaps? How long have you been dwelling there? Jesus today is asking you, “What are you doing in there?” You must get out of the cave to hear God’s still small voice because as long as you are in it, you can hear nothing but yourself! Psalm 46:10 tells us to be still and know that HE is God.
You may be running, you may be afraid, but you cannot escape His presence. May I suggest that you take the time, perhaps right now, and lift up to the Lord that situation that has you in the cave. Let His still small voice comfort you. Let His promises encourage you. Let patience have her perfect work. Don’t feel guilty because you are in the cave, but don’t make that cave your permanent dwelling place. Why settle for anything less than God’s best for your life?
The mightiest power in the universe is the still small Voice of Jesus that calls at the door of the human heart. Don’t build a fire in your cave. Don’t stay in there for the sake of getting attention or pity. Come out and allow your Shepherd to lead you in His paths of righteousness. God has saved you to dwell in the house of the Lord, not in a cave.
Religion can’t get you out of your cave, and all of the positive thinking in the world can’t stop an earthquake. Only the Word of God, forever settled in heaven, mixed with faith, can turn damnation to salvation, fear to faith, darkness to light, and despair to hope.
May our wonderful Savior grant you that today.
