I Kings 19:8
Elijah's story teaches us that even in our darkest moments, God is with us and wants to use us for His purposes.
Chuck Smith explores the profound question 'What doest thou here?' as God asks Elijah, who, after a great victory, finds himself in a desolate place of despair, depression, and fear. He emphasizes that even in our lowest moments, we must remember that God is with us and has a purpose for our lives, urging us not to let fear drive us away from our calling. Smith highlights that our greatest trials often follow our greatest victories, and we should not count ourselves out when God wants to count us in. Ultimately, God calls Elijah back to action, reminding us that we are not alone in our struggles.
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"WHAT DOEST THOU HERE"
Intro: Elijah had lust experienced one of the greatest victories of his
career. Fire from heaven.
I. WHAT DOEST THOU HERE.
A. He was in the wilderness of Mt. Horeb.
1. About as desolate and uninhabited as you can find.
B. Sometimes we find ourselves in weird places.
1. Places where we as servants of God don't belong.
2. The place of despair.
a. We have given up and run.
b. Our greatest trials often follow our greatest
victories.
c. Our hope should always be bright .
1. We may lose a battle but.
2. Jesus won the war.
3. The place of depression.
a. It's no use, I can't fight the world.
b. Our note from Cheryl. "It's no use."
c. David said, "Why art thou cast down, O my soul?"
d. God is still on the throne.
4. The place of fear.
a. Elijah feared for his life.
b. Fear is a tool of Satan.
1. The fear of failure has held back many
from ventures of success.
2. The fear of man bringeth a snare.
3. It will cause you to run back in defeat
when you should be running forward to
victory.
c. God said "fear not" then He gave the greatest
reason --"for I am with thee."
1. "Ye, though I walk through the valley
of the shadow..."
2. Rom. 8, "If God be for me...?" Who
shall separate us from the love of
God?" ... Tribulation, distress,
perverse.
C. What doest thou here? You have no business here.
1. You've counted yourself out when God wants to count you
in.
II. WHAT DOEST THOU HERE?
A. He was hiding in the cave.
1. He had fled from Israel through Judah to its southern
most border Beersheba. Then south to Horeb.
2. He was getting as far from the scene of action as
possible.
B. He was doing nothing.
1. His fear had driven him from the work of God.
a. One week calling down fire to consume the
sacrifice and turning the people to Jehovah.
b. The next week hiding in a cave surrounded by
sage brush and cactus.
2. He wasn't really hiding, God found him, in fact was
with him all the way.
a. He was so distressed and fearful it took him
a little time to find God.
1. There was the wind, earthquake, fire.
2. God spoke in the still mall voice.
III. WHAT DOEST THOU HERE?
A. EliIah started his little speech again offering excuses.
B. God ignored his speech and sent him back to work.
Sermon Outline
- Elijah's Wilderness Experience points: - The Place of Despair - The Place of Depression - The Place of Fear
- Elijah's Hiding Place points: - Hiding in the Cave - Doing Nothing
- God's Response to Elijah points: - Elijah's Excuses - God's Call to Action
Key Quotes
“Our hope should always be bright.” — Chuck Smith
“Fear is a tool of Satan that will cause you to run back in defeat when you should be running forward to victory.” — Chuck Smith
“God said 'fear not' then He gave the greatest reason --'for I am with thee.'” — Chuck Smith
Application Points
- We should not let fear hold us back from serving God.
- God wants to use us, even when we feel like we're in the wrong place.
- We should listen for God's still small voice and respond to His call to action.