HELP!: A 10-Day Devotional by Brandon LakeSample

“So close, so, so close.”

A lot of us look for God in the big, loud, mountain-moving moments, but so many times in Scripture, He presents Himself as a still, small voice. He comes to us in our pain. He draws near to us in our darkest moments.

This is what God did for Elijah in the cave in 1 Kings 19:9-18. Elijah was filled with fear and drowning in darkness because his life was in danger after he acted zealously on the Lord's behalf. This passage tells us that God sent a great and powerful wind, an earthquake, and a fire—but He was not in any of them. He did not appear to Elijah in a single form aside from a gentle whisper. Isn’t it so like God to know just what we need, exactly when we need it? Often, we don’t need to be reminded that God is big. We know that already. We need to know that He is close and that He is gentle. That’s what this song represents to me.

God wants to eventually draw you out of darkness, because He has big plans and assignments for you. But in the meantime, He will meet you in your cave—whether the cold, damp air is marked by anxiety, depression, fear, insecurity, shame, oppression, or all of the above. He wants to turn that cave into a holy place. He won’t force you into anything you’re not yet ready for, but rather, He’s a gracious and patient Father who simply wants a relationship. He’s not in a hurry. He matches your pace (even when it’s nonexistent), pursues your heart, and sits with you in the darkness until you’re ready to see the light.

God is the only remedy for your fear, anxiety, and insecurity. So, when you’re curled up inside your own cave, listen for Him. He’s right there patiently waiting and tenderly speaking to you. He’s the end of all anxiety and the safest place for suffering. He’s enough.