So it was, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood in the entrance of the cave. Suddenly a voice came to him, and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” vs13

God is so gentle! He speaks to Elijah in the calm small voice, after Elijah has rebelled in unbelief and discouragement.

We are responsible to rejoice and maintain our spirit, but He knows our frame and pities us. God in Christ is beautiful.

First, God is the God of the covenant, and for those in Christ, He is at peace with you!

Then He said, “Go out, and stand on the mountain before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a calm small voice. vs11-12

There is no peace apart from the Son, but He speaks to us by the gospel.

In Christ, God has taken away our sins, and He speaks by this GOSPEL VOICE to everyone that hears Him.

He causes us to see that He is not in His wrath or in uncaring sovereignty, but He humbles Himself and speaks to the lowly! He condescends, even as Christ condescended to be like us, to die for us, and to put away our sins.

“Who, existing in the form of God,

did not consider equality with God

something to be held onto,

but emptied Himself,

taking the form of a servant,

being made in human likeness.

And being found in appearance as a man,

He humbled Himself

and became obedient to death—

even death on a cross. [Phil 2:6-8]

In this, God is highly exalted as the Great Being who pities the poor, forgives, and helps the helpless! This is the greatness of God.

Secondly, let us be like Christ and pity the poor. Let us stoop down and humble ourselves. Let us give to the saints who have need, help the widow and the orphan!

“Pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep ourselves unstained by the world.” [James 1:25]

Let us practice true religion and bring back the Book of James, faith that works, and community among believers. Let us be ONE PEOPLE with one God and one Lord, unified by the faith of the gospel, walking in the same Spirit, with liberty, rather than judgmentalism and the harsh rules of men [Eph 4:1-6]. Let us be godly, because He is so Beautiful, and to be like Christ is the highest thing in the world - to imitate Him who loved you [Eph 4:32-5:2].

God will give us grace for this purpose, He will be with us, and we’ll experience the highest pleasure amidst our persecutions.

Thirdly, let us remember that doing good and serving God does not mean that life is easy. 1 Kings 19:4

But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a broom tree. And he prayed that he might die, and said, “It is enough! Now, Lord, take my life, for I am no better than my fathers!” [1 Kings 19:4]

Elijah had been faithful: he’d done God’s will in slaying the false prophets, and he even prayed down fire and rain. God answered Elijah in a special way, but he still had trials, difficulties, and sin; he was still subject to unbelief, despair, and discouragement [2 Cor 4:7-9]. He still felt the sorrows of this world because the earth is cursed.

Many think coming to Christ and being faithful produces a life of ease: It does not. We have the COMFORT OF THE SPIRIT, but we need it. We are not able to go on our own strength, but Christ will give us the grace that is sufficient. Lean on the Son in this hard world and be encouraged.