1 Kings 19:9-18 (NRSV)
Read 1 Kings 19:9-18 on biblegateway.com
Verse 9At that place he came to a cave, and spent the night there. Then the word of the Lord came to him, saying, "What are you doing here, Elijah?" Verse 10He answered, "I have been very zealous for the Lord, the God of hosts; for the Israelites have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. I alone am left, and they are seeking my life, to take it away." Verse 11He said, "Go out and stand on the mountain before the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by." Now there was a great wind, so strong that it was splitting mountains and breaking rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; Verse 12and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a sound of sheer silence. Verse 13When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. Then there came a voice to him that said, "What are you doing here, Elijah?" Verse 14He answered, "I have been very zealous for the Lord, the God of hosts; for the Israelites have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. I alone am left, and they are seeking my life, to take it away." Verse 15Then the Lord said to him, "Go, return on your way to the wilderness of Damascus; when you arrive, you shall anoint Hazael as king over Aram. Verse 16Also you shall anoint Jehu son of Nimshi as king over Israel; and you shall anoint Elisha son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah as prophet in your place. Verse 17Whoever escapes from the sword of Hazael, Jehu shall kill; and whoever escapes from the sword of Jehu, Elisha shall kill. Verse 18Yet I will leave seven thousand in Israel, all the knees that have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him."
Devotion
Elijah fled from Jezebel for forty days, hurrying to get distance from Jezebel’s executioners, angered by his opposition to the worship of Baal. There he made his home in a cave and waited for the Lord. The Scriptures say Elijah was very depressed and considered giving up his calling. When the Lord arrived, he asked Elijah, “What are you doing here?” The Lord repeated the question, and then told him to continue his journey. He was to return to Damascus and anoint Hazael as King over Aram.
I have experienced being challenged when I have a responsibility that I have not done well or not finished. I have a deep fear that I won’t measure up, that I will not do my task as best I can. So I avoid it, or I procrastinate. But just as Elijah was renewed and strengthened by the power and glory of God, I am reminded that we can know that the Lord provides us with all of the skills we need to serve him.
Prayer
Forgive us for our fear or uncertainty, as Elijah delayed his calling. I believe you expect us to do only what we can handle. I pray that you will give us courage to do your work. Thank you for always being with us. Amen.
Interested in digging deeper into today’s text?
Read more here.