Everyday Miracles: 20 Day Journey With Elijah And Elishaنموونە

When God asks you a question, it isn’t for His education, it is for yours!

After Elijah had defeated 450 prophets at Mt. Carmel, he became weary and worried to the point of giving up. But the Lord sent an angel to feed the depressed prophet and send him on his way forward. Elijah, nourished by the supernatural food of God, traveled forty days and nights to Horeb, the mount of God. 

The Lord came to visit Elijah in the cave of Mt. Horeb with a powerful prophetic word. But, before the Lord gave Elijah the word, God had a question for the prophet: “What are you doing here?” God knew the answer but still asked the question!

Rabbinical educators have always valued the power of a good question.

A Hebrew student once asked his teacher, “Rabbi, why do you always answer a question with a question?” The teacher responded, “What’s wrong with a question?” Ha!

God’s question to Elijah wasn’t for God’s information; it was for Elijah’s destiny. 

During elementary school years, if my child asked, “Dad, what should I choose as the topic for my research paper?”, my best response was, “Well, what captures your interest? What do you think is important?” 

God’s question to Elijah was designed to put the prophet in touch with the aimlessness of his life so he could hear God’s good news of a future and hope. He had accomplished great feats in God’s name and travelled a great distance, but he hadn’t become still enough to discern the word from the Lord about his destiny. 

When God asked Elijah, “What are you doing?”, Elijah, in introspection had to admit, “I’m not really doing anything – I’m aimless.” And, by asking the prophet what he was doing “here,” God was helping Elijah see how far he was from the place of his real mission. Elijah wasn’t supposed to be in Horeb at all. He had run hard and far, but he had travelled far from his appointed destination. 

Elijah didn’t discern the Lord’s meaning at first. So, after a great wind and shaking, God spoke again in a quiet whisper: “What are you doing here, Elijah?” Then, Elijah was ready to hear God. The Lord gave him instructions for the new phase of his ministry. And Elijah went. When God asks you a question, He has a blessing in mind for you. And that’s the Gospel!

Questions for Reflection

1) Have you ever felt like God asked you a question? What did He ask? What did you learn?

2) The tired prophet has been encouraged enough by an angel to travel forty days to a cave in Horeb. What do you think the cave represents? Have you ever been in a “cave”? How did God get you out of that dark, lonely place?

3) If God were to appear to you and ask you: “What are you doing here?”, what would be your response? Journal your answer to the question and, as you do, listen for God’s still, small voice.

Prayer for the Day

Lord, you know how I thirst for answers, but, today, I open my heart to your questions. Give me ears to hear what you are asking. Grant me discernment to not only hear your promptings but to answer from my deepest heart. Let me not wander a single day aimlessly but guide me by your steady hand. When I retreat to the comfort of the cave, draw me out and into the light. Show me the way God. I want to follow you. I pray in Jesus’ name, AMEN.