WHAT'S UP WITH YOU?
WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?
1 Kings 19:1-9
INTRODUCTION:
In chapter 18 we find one of God's greatest servants confronting a tyrannical political system and 400 false prophets. In chapter 19 we find him despondent and hiding in a cave. God found him and asked him a question: "What are you doing here?" Perhaps you've had, or are having, the same experience Elijah was having and need to respond to the same question.
I. THIS QUESTION IS ASKED TO SERVE AS A REMINDER
A. of the inspection God makes of us
Note: God has a purpose for our lives. He has a right to check us out.
“The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous“ (Ps. 34:15a)
“The eyes of the Lord are in every place beholding the evil and the good” (Prov. 15:3)
“The ways of man are before the eys of the Lord; and he pondereth all his goings” (Prov. 5:21)
1. this inspection unavoidable
Note: Read Ps. 139:1-12
2. this inspection is universal
Note: Read 2 Chron. 16:9
B. of the interest God has in us
1. the interest of a Father
2. the interest of a Friend
Note: Read Heb. 13:5
II. THIS QUESTION IS ASKED FOR THE SAKE OF REPROOF
Note: “Whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he recieveth” (Heb. 12:6)
“faithful are the wounds of a friend” (Prov. 27:8)
A. notice why God reproved Elijah
1. because of the way he was acting
Note: He was trying to run away from his responsibilities battle was concerned, v. 3a, and where his
brethren were concerned, v. 3b
2. because of what he was asking for
B. notice the way God reproved Elijah
1. notice how God didn’t do it
Note: vv. 1, 12a “And he said . . . earthquake a fire”
Note: God didn’t berate, belittle, shame, scold or skin him
2. notice what God did do
Note: God spoke to him in “a still small voice,” (v. 12b)
Note: Read Gal. 6:1; 2 Tim. 2:25; James 1:20
III. THIS QUESTION WAS ASKED TO STIMULATE SOME REFLECTION
Note: v. 9b “What doest thou here?” How would you answer?
A. can you say, “I am I here because I am in and waiting on the will of God for my life”?
B. would you have to say, “I am here because of the waywardness of my life”?
CONCLUSION: “What are you doing doing here in terms of where you are going and what you are doing with your life?