When Jesus asks “What are you doing here?”

“What are you doing here, Elijah?” 1 Kings 19:9

This is about questioning your motives in dealing with God looking through the life of Elijah.

Elijah was fleeing for his life and finally fell down in the wilderness and prayed to God to take him to Heaven. Elijah was scared, felt defeated, and lacked any strength to go on with life. He believed he had failed God like his ancestors.

Then the Angel of the Lord appeared twice and fed Elijah food and water and told Him to travel to the mountain of God. Elijah traveled 40 days and arrived to hide in a cave.

The next morning God said “What are you doing here, Elijah?” This question seems ambiguous because God knew why Elijah had come to the mountain. Was He asking Elijah why he was hiding in a cave? Or, doubting His faith in God?

Elijah replied “I have been very zealous for the Lord God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, torn down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.”

Elijah’s response did not answer God’s question. Why didn’t Elijah tell God why he came to the mountain? He was evasive and gave God a circumspect response. Was Elijah looking for protection or assurance from God?

God knew all the circumstances of Elijah’s life and was testing Elijah to find out what he was really looking to receive from Him.

Evidently, Elijah needed to see the power of God even though He had performed mighty signs and wonders in his ministry. As a matter of fact, Elijah was the first human being appointed by God to bring someone back from death to life.

God told Elijah to go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord. Then God demonstrated His greatness and created an earthquake, a powerful wind, and a fire. God was not in these cosmic disturbances but He made them.

Then Elijah heard the still small voice of God and hid his face from God.

Then the sequence happened again with the same question from God and the same response from Elijah.

It sounds like God didn’t get the response He was looking for from Elijah.

After this, God instructed Elijah on the actions for him to take as he prepared to depart alive from the earth and go to Heaven.

The truth in this story is to come before God with honesty and be straightforward with Him. God knows all the circumstances in your life. In fact, He knows future challenges that are hidden from you.

So think about your motives before you approach the throne of God! Remember, you are coming before your Creator who has power and dominion over all things in heaven and earth.

Speak openly to God sharing your feelings and needs. Is your faith wavering in the challenges of life? Does God seem illusive or failing to respond to your prayers?

Ask the Living God to meet you today at your point of need and share His life with you. He died so you can live!