Hearing God/part two--A Whisper

When Queen Jezebel heard of how Elijah had humiliated Baal she was more determined than ever to destroy him. But God was with Elijah and led him to a cave on Mt. Horeb. It was there that God said to him, “Go out and stand on the mountain, for the Lord is about to pass by.”

“Then a great and powerful wind tore the

mountain apart and shattered the rocks,

But the Lord was not in the wind.

After the wind was an earthquake,

--But the Lord was not in the earthquake

After the earthquake came a fire,

--But the Lord was not in the fire.

After the fire came a gentle whisper.

When Elijah heard the whisper, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave.”

--1 Kings 19:11-13

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The wind, the earthquake, the fire—

They were NOT the Lord.

But the whisper…

…The still small voice we often hear about but perhaps never have the patience to experience.

--Be still—and know that I am God. (Psalm 46:10)

Be Still?!?

That’s a tough one. What with work, family, bills to pay, committees to attend. After all, God only gave us 24 hours in the day. If only He gave us more time, then we could easily set some aside for Him.

--Be Still –

All the technology we have so that we can cook and clean faster, write and send reports faster, get to where we are going faster, so why do we still feel we don’t get things done fast enough? Whose timetable are we using…God’s or ours?

--Be Still –

We have heard it a hundred times “take time for God.” But wouldn’t we rather give some money, say some prayers and call it good…or at least, good enough?

--Be Still, so as not to miss the whisper. –

The wind, the earthquake, the fire... were they meant to get Elijah’s attention? What does God need to do to get OUR attention? To get us out of our earthly caves and stand in His presence?

The next time we find ourselves thinking, “If only He would just give me a sign.” Perhaps we should stop—just stop. Read His words, talk to Him alone, quietly.

I am sure then, we will hear His whispers and maybe even avoid the wind, the earthquakes and the fires.