“Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.”
1 Kings 19:11
Did you know that just after that insane display of God's power and Elijah's faith, Elijah ran away, hid, and prayed that he might die [1 Kings 19:4]? This is because the crazy queen of that time swore by her gods that she would kill him. It's amazing how quickly Elijah forgot that his God had absolutely annihilated her gods just moments before.
Remember what God has done in your life. Don't let your circumstances change your view of God, rather let Him change your view of your circumstances. Know that the Lord is great, that our God is greater than all gods [Psalm 135:5].
So God appears to Elijah, and says, "What are you doing here, Elijah?" Why have you abandoned your call? Why have you run away from the things I have for you? Why do you fear that over which I so clearly have the victory?
Elijah responds by telling God about the situation he faces. I don't want to make light of what Elijah was facing. People hated him and were trying to kill him. Pretty sure, I'd also hide in a cave. And I don't know what's forced you to your cave, but if you're in a hard time, the best place to start is to speak to Jesus.
Did God respond with, "No worries, mate, I'll go out and smite them all!"? I'm sure that's what Elijah was hoping for. "I'll make all your problems disappear, Elijah!" Nope. God's response was to invite Elijah into His presence. God's solution to Elijah's problem was Himself.
And God's solution right now to anything you may be facing is Jesus. Yes, God is all powerful and can change any situation in the blink of an eye, but He wants us to want Jesus more than any solution or happy ending that He could give us.
You're lonely? Come to Me [James 4:8].
You're hurting? Come, there is healing in My presence [1 Peter 2:24-25].
You're anxious? Come, give Me your burdens for I care for you [1 Peter 5:7].
You're feeling weak? Come, find your strength in me [2 Corinthians 12:9-10].
You don't know what to do? Come, walk with Me and I will direct your way [Proverbs 3:5-6].
Come out of the cave you're in and stand in the presence of the Lord.
God then asks Elijah the same question again. Elijah responds in exactly the same way. His circumstances hadn't changed, people were still trying to kill him. But this time God tells Elijah how to deal with it, and what He would do. God had all the solutions, but He wanted Elijah to realise that He Himself, the Lord Almighty, was, is, and always will be, the first and ultimate answer to all things in life.
Jesus is the answer. Come to Him.
