Questions From a Cave

Throughout history, Christians have had moments of doubt, wondering if they’ve made the wrong choice, or misunderstood God’s leading. Many of us have served the Lord, endeavored to be faithful, but we seem to have ended up worse than we started. Alone, hurting, despairing and weary, the question might creep into our minds, “We’ve followed you this far, God, now what?”

Within the pages of Scripture, we find followers of God wrestling with similar doubts. During a dark moment in Israel’s history–the rule of wicked King Ahab–one such story of fear and questioning unfolds. 1 Kings 19 takes us to a cave, where we find a prophet of the Almighty hiding. Alone. Despairing. Mere days ago, Elijah had prayed, and God answered with a forceful gush of fire spiraling from heaven–a literal mountain-top experience. It looked like Elijah finally reached a breakthrough: God’s fiery blaze made even the unrepentant Israelites exclaim, “The Lord, He is God!” (1 Kings 18:39). It looked like the beginning of a great revival in Israel. But instead, Elijah received death threats and was forced to run for his life (19:1–3). Alone, tired, worn out, Elijah hid in a cave. He had nothing left to give, nothing left to fight for. He reached his end. He was done.

Then, in the cave, Elijah heard a voice. “What are you doing here, Elijah?” (v. 9).

He immediately recognized who was speaking. Dejectedly, he spilled out an explanation. “I have been very jealous for the Lord, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I–”

We imagine him pausing, feeling the weight of his next words–the tears filling his eyes, the weariness finally giving way to self-pity. “Even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away” (v. 10).

Raw emotion filled the cave, as Elijah’s shoulders sagged. He had given it all, served God to the fullest. Now he was left hiding in a cave, waiting for his impending doom. Implied in Elijah’s answer seems to be the rhetorical question, “What do you think I’m doing here, God?”

God beckoned Elijah to the front of the cave where He sent an earthquake, a fierce wind, and a fire. Then, God spoke in a small whisper. Almost silence. Elijah covered himself in his cloak, barely hearing the words in the stillness. The God who controls earthquakes, wind and fire, quietly asked his prophet again, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” (v. 13).

His feelings seemingly unchanged by the display of might, Elijah repeats his answer verbatim. Ever patient, God responds with instructions, and ends with a promise that counters Elijah’s hopelessness: “I will leave seven thousand in Israel, all the knees that have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him” (v. 18).” In the midst of Elijah’s turmoil, God reminds him that the Almighty God is in control on the mountaintop, and in the cave.

As we study 1 Kings 19, and face our own trials and moments of despair, we are often tempted to join the prophet in giving up hope. Years of faithful service and mountaintop experiences of God’s power have seemed to end with no human evidence of fruit. In our cave, we wait. But, loved ones, waiting on Jesus is never wasted time. God reminds Elijah–and you and I–that there is always more going on than meets the eye. Nothing is wasted in the life of God’s servants. As the old hymn says, “Though the wrong seems oft so strong, God is the ruler yet. Jesus who died shall be satisfied, and earth and heaven be won.”

His ways are higher than our ways, and his thoughts are not our thoughts (Isaiah 55:8-9). As He did with Elijah, so God will do with us. We can trust that He will meet us in the waiting, for “they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint” (Isa. 40:30). Loved one in the Lord, do not fear, do not give up, “for in due season we will reap,” if we do not lose heart (Gal. 6:9). Trust him to the end, and in the end, you will find him worthy of all trust. In the silence, in the waiting, take joy and strength in the God who cares for you.