1 Kings 19:9

" The word of the Lord came to him ." Though he had not merited such a favour, for he had acted without that word when he fled. True, he fled to the desert, so far as we can see, that he might hear what God would say concerning him, but he had no right to presume that He who had not spoken at Jezreel would speak at Sinai. But God never deals with us as we deserve, or as we deal with one another. "If thou, Lord, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand?" ( Psalms 130:8 .) "If they break my statues… then will I visit their transgression with the rod… nevertheless, my loving kindness will I not utterly take from him," etc. ( Psalms 89:31-38 ). "Thou hast played the harlot with many lovers; yet return again to me, saith the Lord" ( Jeremiah 3:1 ). If the word did not come to us when we stray, how could we be reclaimed? God must take the first step ( John 6:44 ).

"What doest thou here, Elijah? " It is more than doubtful whether there was any audible voice (see 1 Kings 19:12 ). God spoke through the conscience . And this is still the organ used by the Holy Ghost. Have we never heard this question in our secret souls? perhaps when we stood in the way of sinners, or sat in the seat of the scornful. We should do well to put it repeatedly to our own hearts. " Bernarde, ad quid venisti? " — it was thus that the greatest saint of the Middle Ages often tried his motives and conduct.