Cave-Time Turnaround

The LORD gave special strength to Elijah. He tucked his cloak into his belt and ran ahead of Ahab’s chariot all the way to the entrance of Jezreel. I Kings 18:46 NLT

Fear and insecurity will drive you to desperation and fatigue.

So he got up and ate and drank, and the food gave him enough strength to travel forty days and forty nights to Mount Sinai, the mountain of God. 1 Kings 19:8 NLT 

When we journey in our own wisdom and strength we will land up confused, exhausted, and lost. 

There he came to a cave, where he spent the night. 1 Kings 19:9 NLT

But the LORD said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” Elijah replied, “I have zealously served the LORD God Almighty. But the people of Israel have broken their covenant with you, torn down your altars, and killed every one of your prophets. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me, too.” 1 Kings 19:9-10 NLT

Cave pics! - Go out and stand before me on the mountain,” the LORD told him. And as Elijah stood there, the LORD passed by, and a mighty windstorm hit the mountain. It was such a terrible blast that the rocks were torn loose, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake there was a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire there was the sound of a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And a voice said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 1 Kings 19:11-13 NLT

The nearness of God’s presence and the whisper of His voice are the single greatest manifestation of His power and love. 

What are you doing HERE? - - (Cave pictures go here)

Comparison and complaining will land you in a cave when you could be enjoying a mountaintop view! 

Persistence has the power to perpetuate both good and bad decisions.

Cave-time is often the consequence of circumstances beyond our control. - (Mom pic here) 

What are you DOING here?

The cave can be an intimate place to hear Gods voice and learn from His wisdom. 

What are YOU doing here?

Don’t let insecurity rob you of your true identity! 

Then the LORD told him, “Go back the same way you came, and travel to the wilderness of Damascus. 1 Kings 19:15 NLT

Don’t waste time on blame or regret, rather repent and then follow God’s direction and destiny. 

When you arrive there, anoint Hazael to be king of Aram. Then anoint Jehu grandson of Nimshi to be king of Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from the town of Abel-meholah to replace you as my prophet. Anyone who escapes from Hazael will be killed by Jehu, and those who escape Jehu will be killed by Elisha! Yet I will preserve 7,000 others in Israel who have never bowed down to Baal or kissed him!” 1 Kings 19:15-18 NLT

God called Elijah away from the cave to a life focused on His voice and vision for a amazing future.

So he departed from there and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen in front of him, and he was with the twelfth. Elijah passed by him and cast his cloak upon him. 1 Kings 19:19 ESV

POEM

God’s remedy for our lostness is revelation, repentance, restoration, and redemption!