“So it was, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood in the entrance of the cave. Suddenly a voice came to him, and said, ‘What are you doing here?’ ” (1 Kings 19:13).
Elijah is in despair, hiding in a cave on Mt. Horeb in the wilderness of Judah when God appears to him and asks him the question, “What are you doing here?” Even after receiving God’s protection repeatedly, Elijah allows his faith to waiver after Jezebel threatens to take his life because he has killed the prophets of Baal.
Assuming God has deserted him and assuming his life is virtually over, Elijah wants to die; but God has different plans. Actually, the prophet has deserted God at a time when God needs him the most. God needs Elijah to stand up for Him and to help lead the Israelites in their return to Him.
The lesson comes through loud and clear: as God’s people today, we should never hide nor retreat—rather, we need to stand firmly in the place we find ourselves, be strong in our faith, be confident in whatever role we have in helping others spiritually, and use our talents to assist in moving the kingdom forward.