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Verse:And there he went into a cave, and spent the night in that place; and behold, the word of the LORD came to him, and He said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” —1 Kings 19:9
Discouragement undermines God’s plans for our lives.
On December 9, 1856, while in Round Grove, Illinois, Ellen White had a vision about the critical spiritual condition of some Sabbath-keeping Adventist families who had moved from the east coast of the United States to Waukon, Iowa.23 The weather was terrible —a mixture of snow and rain— and at one point on the journey, Ellen reported, “I never witnessed such cold weather.” James White was hesitant to make the long journey to Waukon, but Ellen said, “We shall go.” It was early winter, and, to reach Iowa, they had to cross the great Mississippi River.
There was no bridge, and boats were unable to sail through the ice-covered waters. To safely cross, they needed firm, thick ice.
When they came to the river in the sleigh, Josiah Hart turned to Ellen and said, “We have come to the Red Sea; shall we cross?” Mrs. White replied, “Go forward, trusting in Israel’s God.” By faith, they crossed the dangerous river —arriving safely on the other side. Eventually, they reached Waukon, where they encouraged the Adventist believers. They also kept two powerful Adventist preachers from backsliding.
While in Waukon, James and Ellen White were taken to a store building where Hosea Mead, an Adventist from Washington, New Hampshire, and J. N. Loughborough, a former Adventist preacher, were working as carpenters.
James and Ellen remained in the sleigh, and when Loughborough reached the sleigh, Mrs. White asked him, “What doest thou here, Elijah?” Astonished, he answered, “I am working with Brother Mead at carpenter work.” Then she asked a second time, “What doest thou here, Elijah?” And then a third time, “What doest thou here, Elijah?” Due to James and Ellen White’s visit to Waukon, Loughborough gave up the carpentry work, and J. N. Andrews stopped farming.
Both resumed their ministries and became influential preachers and writers. If you have taken some “vacation” time from the mission the Lord has entrusted to you, this is the right time to resume it. Please do not delay your decision!