Print

I KINGS 19:9-10

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?"

Intro: Elijah challenged the prophets of Baal and Ashtoreh to a contest.
       Because of  his victory, wicked Queen Jezebel has threatened his
       life and he has fled in fear  all the way to Mt. Horeb.

I. "WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE ELIJAH?"
        A. Sometimes God's greated servants are found in places they
           should  never be.
                1. He was in a place of discouragement and despair.
                        a. Under the juniper tree he had asked the Lord
                           to take away  his life.
                                1. I don't think he really meant that.
                                2. If that's what he wanted, he could have
                                   remained in  Samaria and Jezebel would
                                   have gladly obliged  him.
                        b. Despair often follows on the heels of great
                           victories.
                                1. Satan will always try to keep you from
                                   enjoying  victory.
                2. He was in a place of fear.
                        a. He was not afraid to challenge the 850 prophets
                           of Baal and Ashtoreh.
                        b. The threats of one woman had him on the run. 
        B. "I have been jealous for the Lord God of hosts."
                1. He spoke of the spiritual apostasy in Israel.
                        a. They have forsaken Thy covenant.
                        b. They have torn down Thy altars. 
                        c. They have slain Thy prophets.
                        d. "I'm the only one left and they are looking for
                            me to kill me."
                2. Amazing how fear and despair can exaggerate a situation.
                        a. Young girls in Tucson.
                        b. Your problems are not as bad as you think.
                        c. You are not as alone as you think.
                        d. Your husband is not most inconsiderate in world.

II. ELIJAH CALLED TO STAND ON MT. AS GOD PASSED BY.
        A. Great wind, God not in wind.
        B. Great earthquake, God not in earthquake.
        C. Fire, God not in fire.
        D. The still small voice of God.
                1. Hard to find God when our lives being torn by wind or
                   shaking with  adversity or consumed by fire.
2 "Be still and know that I am God."

III. "WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE ELIJAH?"
        A. Elijah did not understand the question the first time.
                1. He answered why he was there.
                        a. That is not what God had asked.
                        b. God asked what are you doing here. 
                        c. The real answer was nothing.
                2. He had been driven by fear and discouragement to doing
                   nothing. No longer serving God.
        B. He still did not understand the question and gave the same
           answer.
        C. So God ordered him on a new mission of service.
                1. Go to Damascus and anoint Hazael king over Syria.
                2. Anoint Jehu king over Israel.
                3. Anoint Elisha to take your place.
                        a. There's work to be done, now get busy.
                        b. Incidentally, it's not as bad as you say, I
                           have 7,000 in Israel  who have not bowed their
                           knees to Baal.