Why Are You Here?
Verse:1 Kings 19:13
"When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. Then a voice said to him, 'What are you doing here, Elijah?'"
Elijah, a man of God who had once stood valiantly against the prophets of Baal, now found himself hiding in fear. His journey from the brook of Cherith, where God had provided for him, to the shade of a broom tree and finally to the depths of a cave, reveals a shift in his heart. At Cherith, Elijah was driven by God’s guidance, but under the broom tree and in the cave, he was driven by fear—fear of Jezebel’s threat to take his life. This fear was so overwhelming that it overshadowed his past victories and his faith in God’s protection. God’s repeated question, “Why are you here?” was not because He didn’t know, but because He wanted Elijah to confront the misplaced fear that had taken root in his heart.
Elijah’s fear was not unfounded. Jezebel had a history of killing prophets, and Elijah felt he was no better than those who had perished before him. He even lamented, “I am no better than my ancestors” (1 Kings 19:4). In his anxiety, he assumed that God, who had not intervened to save the other prophets, would not save him either. This comparison led him to conclude that his fate was sealed. Yet, Elijah’s fear was a misplacement of his trust. God had already proven His care for Elijah by providing food through ravens and sustaining him during the drought. If death were imminent, surely God would have prepared him with peace, not fear. God does not reveal death to all, but He prepares His children with His peace that surpasses all understanding. Elijah’s fear blinded him to this truth.
This narrative speaks powerfully to us. Like Elijah, we often find ourselves in situations where our past successes and victories seem irrelevant in the face of present challenges. We compare our circumstances to others’ and assume the worst. We allow fear to dictate our actions, forgetting that our God is greater than any threat we face. God’s question to Elijah is the same question He asks us today: “Why are you here?” Are we hiding in fear, allowing our anxieties to overshadow His promises? Are we fleeing from challenges, convinced that God will not intervene?
Elijah’s story reminds us that spirituality is not about a history of valiance but about our instant response to truth. It is about trusting God in the present moment, even when fear seems overwhelming. God did not abandon Elijah. Instead, He used him mightily afterward, proving that the one Elijah feared would meet a drastic end, while Elijah himself would be taken up to heaven without experiencing death. God’s plans are always greater than our fears.
We, too, may find ourselves in situations where fear seems to have the upper hand. But Godless anxiety is a waste of time. It distracts us from the still, small voice of God that whispers hope and assurance. God’s question, “Why are you here?” is an invitation to refocus our hearts on Him. It is a call to remember that the God who provides for our daily needs is also the God who holds our future in His hands. If death or danger were imminent, He would prepare us with His peace, not fear. But until then, we are called to trust and obey.
Are you still hiding in fear, convinced that your situation is greater than God? Look to Him. Listen for His still, small voice. It may not come in the wind, the earthquake, or the fire, but in the quiet moments when He reminds you of His presence and His promises. There is nothing to worry about when our eyes are fixed on Him.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, we come before You, acknowledging our fears and anxieties. Like Elijah, we often find ourselves hiding in caves of doubt, convinced that our challenges are greater than Your power. Forgive us for allowing fear to overshadow our faith. Help us to hear Your still, small voice, reminding us of Your presence and promises. Teach us to trust You in the present moment, knowing that You hold our future in Your hands. May we respond to Your question, “Why are you here?” with hearts full of faith and trust. Amen.