January 7, 2002
There he went into a cave and spent the night. And the word of the Lord came to him: “What are you doing here, Elijah?” He replied, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, broken 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.” The Lord said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.” I Kings 19:9-11a (NIV)
Elijah, a great prophet of God, was on his pity pot. He was hiding in the depths of a cave. Many of us are hiding in the depths of caves. We are kept there by fear: fear of being seen for what we are, who we are; fear of being hurt; fear of what others might think; fear of many things. However, fear is NOT of God. We are not called to stay in the cave. We are called to stand on the mountain, the Rock, Jesus. Why do we continue to hide? How much longer shall we run from the word of the Lord that calls us forth? Elijah said he was the only one left. I have felt that way. I have felt that I was the only one near me who was truly willing to serve the Lord God. That feeling kept me paralyzed for a time. Like Elijah, I was called out of that cave of hiding and into the presence of the Lord. The Lord calls to you and says, “What are you doing here, _____? Why are you hiding in a cave?”
Come out of your caves, you who are crouched in the depths of the dark. Come out of your caves, you who are weary and alone. Come out of your caves, those called of the Lord. Come out. Stand on the Rock. Come to Mt. Zion, the Mountain of Grace. Come; stand firm on the word of the Lord. He is with you. He gives you strength. He is your strength and your shield, your ever-present help in times of distress. He shall not leave you undefended. He has ordered his angels concerning you. He has given you joint inheritance with Christ. It is not under your own power that you must come out of the caves, but rather the power of Jesus that works within you. Do not remain hidden and let the Lord pass you by. Take the calling the Lord has given you. Come, work together, worship together, and hide no more. Jesus calls, “Come to me you who are weary and heavy laden and I shall give you rest.” Come.
Father, the time to hide is past. The time to walk in the strength of the Lord is here. Father, right now, this instant, call all who are hiding out of the caves. In Jesus name, let them stay hidden in the caves no more. In Jesus name strengthen their arms, their legs, their feet, their faith. Father, they do believe, help them where there faith has faltered. For the sake of the name of Jesus, bring your armies forth in the glory of the Lord. In Jesus name, arm us, guide us, and give us boldness to walk in the power of the Lord. In Jesus name, amen.
All rights reserved: Amy Seelbach
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