God has a purpose

And the word of the Lord came to him: “What are you doing here, Elijah?”

10He replied, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, torn 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.”

11The Lord said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.”

Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. 12After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. 13When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave.

Then a voice said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”

14He replied, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, torn 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.”

15The Lord said to him, “Go back the way you came, and go to the Desert of Damascus. When you get there, anoint Hazael king over Aram. 16Also, anoint Jehu son of Nimshi king over Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel Meholah to succeed you as prophet. 17Jehu will put to death any who escape the sword of Hazael, and Elisha will put to death any who escape the sword of Jehu.18Yet I reserve seven thousand in Israel—all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal and whose mouths have not kissed him.”

THOUGHTS: God sometimes speaks through natural disaster- earthquake, wind, and fire.  But this time he spoke to Elijah in a "gentle whisper" or "Still small voice" (KJV).  God asked what he was doing there.  The answer could have been I am tired and depressed and afraid. 
       God is giving Elijah hope. He tells him to get some leadership help- Elishah, Hazael, and Jehu.  He also tells him that his power will come back through these leaders.  He also tells Elijah there are 7,000 who have not polluted the true worship of God with Baal worship.  God is not without the church.  There never has been a time and never will be a time.  God is on the throne.  He was still working with Elijah though he  thought his time was up.  With the sharp rise of suicides lately, perhaps all of us can recognize this with Elijah.  He was willing for God to take him home.  But God was not finished with him yet, though Elijah thought he was finished.  God has a purpose for everyone.  

Prayer: Lord, when I feel used up, let me know of your love.