2nd Sunday After Pentecost. June 19th, 2022. Series

1 Kings 19:1-15, Psalm 42, Psalm 43, Isaiah 65:1-9, Psalm 22:19-28, Galatians 3:23-29, Luke 8:26-39.

A). THE WILDERNESS AND THE CAVE.

1 Kings 19:1-15a.

I. The Wilderness of Dissent (1 Kings 19:1-8).

It is hard when we stand out in the crowd, but Christians are different. The Bible names us a ‘peculiar people’ - called out of darkness into His marvellous light (1 Peter 2:9). Privileges carry responsibility. Dissent is a lonely wilderness.

Sometimes we are most vulnerable in the full blush and head-rush of perceived victory. It was just at such a time that another ‘man of God’ let his guard down, disobeyed the LORD, and lost his life (1 Kings 13). Similarly, no sooner had Jesus pronounced the blessing over Peter’s famous confession of faith, than Peter had to be sternly rebuked for trying to divert Jesus from His destiny (Matthew 16:16-23). WE MUST REMAIN ALERT, EVEN AFTER BENEDICTION.

After the LORD’s victory on Mount Carmel, and Elijah’s slaying of the Baal prophets (1 Kings 18:40), Elijah may now have let his guard down. Queen Jezebel was furious! She swore under oath to her imaginary ‘gods’ that she would have Elijah slain by the very next day (1 Kings 19:1-2).

What Elijah needed to learn, and what we all need to learn, is that victory belongs to the LORD (Proverbs 21:31). TO HIM BE THE GLORY! Instead, Elijah turned flight, and ran (1 Kings 19:3).

Is it not strange that, a day later, having escaped the wrath of the Queen, Elijah prayed that the LORD would take his life (1 Kings 19:4)? Elijah had plummeted from triumph to despondency, oblivious to the fact that the day had passed without the Queen fulfilling her vow. This is a classic case of burn-out, known to many involved in the spiritual warfare.

Exhausted, and sitting under a juniper tree, Elijah was overwhelmed with a sense of inadequacy: ‘I am not better than my fathers’ (1 Kings 19:4). Yet Elijah was in two minds. Both earlier (1 Kings 18:22), and later (1 Kings 19:10; 1 Kings 19:14), Elijah insisted that he was the only faithful one left.

This might be a good point in which to mention Obadiah. This man is like one of those unsung heroes of the church, quietly doing the LORD’s work without any fuss or drama. While Obadiah was caring for others in the land (1 Kings 18:4) - a thing known to Elijah (1 Kings 18:13) - Elijah was experiencing God’s presence and provision in the midst of the wilderness (1 Kings 19:5-8). While Obadiah was hiding others in a cave, Elijah hid himself in a cave (1 Kings 19:9; 1 Kings 19:13).

II. The Cave of Doubt (1 Kings 19:9-14).

Why are YOU here?

Indignant self-righteousness.

Wind, earthquake,

and fire -

and a thin, barely perceptible voice in the midst of the silence.

Why are you HERE?

Indignant self-righteousness.

We might insert here some comparisons and contrasts between Moses and Elijah.

1. The LORD passed by Moses (Exodus 33:19; Exodus 33:22; Exodus 34:6), just as he later passed by Elijah (1 Kings 19:11). But whereas Moses interceded for an idolatrous people (Exodus 32:11-14), Elijah was here wallowing in self pity (1 Kings 19:4; 1 Kings 19:10; 1 Kings 19:14).

2. This was the same wilderness, and the same mountain - but Elijah was going backward, not forward. However, both appeared later, with Jesus, in another mountain (Luke 9:28-31).

III. "Go, Return on Your Way" (1 Kings 19:15a).

The LORD’s practical response to His despondent servant was to recall him to duty, and to send him away from that cave.

We can draw strength from the fact that the LORD has not deserted us. He is still with us in the wilderness of dissent. He is still with us in the cave of doubt. He is with us in the recall to duty. WE ARE NEVER ALONE.

B). THE PANTING DEER.

Psalm 42:1-11; Psalm 43:1-5.

There is such a thing as speaking truth into raw emotion. Imagine a situation where you are one of the worship team in the Temple at Jerusalem, and you are taken hostage to Samaria (cf. 2 Kings 14:14). On the way your heart identifies with a deer panting for water as you find yourself yearning for the things of God from which you have been so recently, so suddenly, and so violently dragged away (Psalm 42:1-3).

You reflect on the past which seems now lost to you (Psalm 42:4), but you also ask questions of God. You summon up courage to hope in the midst of affliction (Psalm 42:5). You are still downcast, but you will yourself to keep your God in mind (Psalm 42:6).

You reassure yourself of the LORD’s unfailing covenant love; and even in the night, the dark night of your soul, you continue to praise Him (Psalm 42:8; cf. Acts 16:25). You call out to the Rock of your salvation - Jesus- but it seems that there is no answer (Psalm 42:9-10). Yet still you persist, and dare to hope for a restoration to the familiar place of His closeness (Psalm 42:11).