I have heard many sermons on this text, specifically how God comes not in the wind, not in the earthquake, not in the fire, but in a gentle whisper. Elijah had experienced an amazing victory over the prophets of Baal, but the experience had left him exhausted and alone. And in his fatigue and loneliness, God came to Elijah tenderly. An angel came with a delivery of cake and water to strengthen and encourage him after he had rested.
That’s usually where the sermon ends. God is a God of encouragement and rest and tenderness. But what I have not heard spoken of often is what happens afterward. Elijah felt alone but God comforts Elijah by saying he is not alone. Rather, there are seven thousand who have not bowed down to Baal and who are still faithful to God.
The very next verse, v. 19, it says “Elijah went from there and found Elisha son of Shaphat.”
God did not ask Elijah to gather the seven thousand and lead them. Instead, God’s addressed Elijah’s loneliness by leading him to Elisha. And this meeting happened because Elijah got up from where he was and “found Elisha.”
So if you are feeling discouraged and lonely, God wants you to rest. But it doesn’t stop there. Eventually, you will have to get up from where you are and God will lead you to your Elisha. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations…