A Gentle Whisper (4th Day 53)

Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there 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. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. Then a voice said to him, "What are you doing here, Elijah?" (1 Kings 19:11-13)

Elijah is the prophet of God. He has the rare distinction of ascending directly to Heaven. He was called by God to do some very difficult and dangerous things, which he did fearlessly (well, fearlessly probably isn't true, he was plenty scared of Jezebel). Read about Elijah confronting the priests of Ba'al and challenging Jezebel. God reveals Himself to us through his interaction with His people. It's so important for us to understand that.

Elijah's interaction with the Lord on Mount Horeb is interesting and curious. We are told in scripture that there was a great storm and earthquake and fire on Mount Horeb where Elijah was hiding in a cave. In all the clamor, God was not there. Only after all the chaos had occurred and there was silence, did God speak to Elijah. It was in that Holy Silence that Elijah heard the whisper of God.

How often in the chaos of the day do we listen for the whisper of God's voice? I doubt very often. Yet, it is in the most quiet moments that we hear God. God will not compete with the distractions that surround us for our attention--He doesn't need to, He is God.

When I thought about what to write today, I drew a total blank. Nothing at all came to mind. I feared that if I tried to write, that I would wander into some area of controversy or sensitivity that might offend someone. I do not try to offend. However, sometimes we must confront some real issues. But that is for another day.

Then it came to me how when Elijah encountered God, it was in a whisper. How often are we still and listen for God’s voice? God will not compete with the distractions of the world for our attention—He doesn’t have to, He is God. Let us be still and listen for the whisper of God’s voice.

Good night and God bless.

De Colores,
Bill
WV88