From this we learn that God deals differently at different times according to His purposes and for His glory. Never should we assume that He is obligated to answer our requests at our bidding according to our time. His delays, though long, are not necessarily His denials. Soon after Elijah spotted the cloud, the heavens opened up and the rains came down. So it is with prayer.
Answers come quickly at times and more slowly at other times.
The place and the people may be the same, but every situation is unique in itself. Despite God's marvelous work in his life, this servant of the Lord was not without his deficiencies. But Scripture records that the Lord was not in them. With this, Elijah shamefully wrapped his face in his mantle and then went out to the entrance of the cave, pouring out his self-pity and complaint to the Lord. It was not until then that Elijah moved to the entrance of the cave.