By Pastor William Y. K. Brown Ph.D
(Resident Pastor)
Seventh-day Adventist Church
Osu-Bethel.
Tel: 0244165628/0243310773.
wykbrown@gmail.com
GEMS FOR MEDITATION AND PRAYER
THEME FOR THE WEEK: QUESTIONS GOD ASKS: PART III
SUNDAY
THEME: “WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE, ELIJAH?” PART I
SCRIPTURE: 1 Kings 19:9
“And there he went into a cave, and spent the night in that place; and behold, the word of the Lord came to him, and He said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
REFLECTIONS
As we continue our series on “Questions God Asks,” let us remember that these divine inquiries are not mere words but powerful tools for our spiritual growth. When God asks questions, He has a plan to unleash for the benefit of His followers. Let us explore this together.
The prophet Elijah is one of the only two people who never tasted death. He and Enoch were taken to heaven alive, but he was a prophet who did great exploits for the Lord. After standing for God and winning the contest on Mount Carmel, which led to the execution of over 400 prophets of Baal (1 Kings 18), he ran away from the threat of Jezebel (1 Kings 19).
At that moment of despair, fatigue, self-pity, and perhaps an appropriate opportunity to reflect on his life, God asked: “What are you doing here, Elijah?” God did not expect that he would come there in the cave. So, the question allowed Elijah to reflect again and review the essence of his fleeing from a human being. Had he so soon forgotten the power of God, which he had defended and called upon for the great victory? Would he allow threats of a created being to make him decide to end his appointment by God and die? What had happened to the power of God, on which he depended all this while? Elijah’s experience is not unique to himself alone; it reveals our humanness and that we may be discouraged and falter if we do not hold on to God and trust Him at all times.
So, 1 Kings 19:9-10 reads, “[9]And there he went into a cave, and spent the night in that place; and behold, the word of the Lord came to him, and He said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” [10]So he said, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God of hosts; for the children of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I alone am left, and they seek to take my life.” Remember that God was not oblivious to the prophet’s actions at the onset. The angel of the LORD met him earlier and provided him with food and water and instructed him, “Arise and eat, because the journey is too great for you” (verse 7) —inferring that he would have to traverse about 100 miles (160 km) from the wilderness to the cave (verse 4-9). Though he was fleeing, God was following him. Therefore, the question: “What are you doing here?”
There comes a time when we must sit back in solitude and reflect on how we have lived. This review helps us evaluate and refine our mission. We cannot continue without pausing to see how far we have come, especially in our relationship with God. An incident may occur to create an essential environment in which you can review your life. That is why we agree with the Scriptures in 1 Thessalonians 5:18, “In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” Learn not to complain, but trust God. Psalms 37:4-5 remarks, “[4]Delight yourself also in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart. [5]Commit your way to the Lord, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass.” But the question is, what are you doing here – in your life’s journey? (We shall continue tomorrow, God willing).
MY SONG OF COMMITMENT
SDAH 613 – “Fight the Good Fight”
LET US PRAY
– Praise and thank God for victories through His grace; thank God for His unceasing love and interest in your personal affairs; pray for enduring faith in God despite enormous challenges;
– Pray for at least five (5) people who face some threats, waiting for a decision to be taken on their behalf, and seeking God’s guidance on an issue;
– Pray for pastors and leaders of your church for their spirituality to override human weaknesses; pray for retired ministers/pastors to eschew self-pity; pray for families and individuals who are scared by natural disasters, wars, and violence in all its forms;
– Pray for justice, equity, prosperity, and love for God as a nation; pray for patients with diverse diseases, medical personnel who attend to the sick, and the means to pay medical bills.
