Elijah's Misperception

Following an incredible episode where God's power shown through him, the prophet Elijah, fueled by despair (maybe even depression) finds himself hiding in a cave. Here is how the dialogue between Elijah and God proceeds:

"There he [Elijah] came to a cave, where he spent the night.

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.'

'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?'

He replied again, '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.'

God then gives Elijah some instructions about where to go and concludes by correcting Elijah's miscerception, "Yet I preserve 7,000 others in Israel who have never bowed down to Baal or kissed him!'"(1 Kings 19:9-14, 18)

In Tolkien's masterpiece, The Lord of the Rings, Theoden, the king of Rohan, finds himself surrounded at a place called Helm's Deep. The enemy forces have overrun his army, and it appears that Theoden and what remains of his troops will soon be killed. Yet, Gandalf has come with help, in the person of Eomer, a formerly exiled military commander. He brings with him the Rohirrim, highly trained fighters on horseback.

Gandalf surveys the situation and remarks, "Theoden stands alone." Eomer responds, "Not alone."

Elijah was never alone.

Whatever place you find yourself in, may you hear the whisper of God in your ear telling you, "You are never alone."