When God Speaks

SCRIPTURE: 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 NIV

THOUGHT: God watches Elijah run, and run, and run. Forty-one days and nights his fear pursues him all the way to a cave in what is called the mountain of God. God is patient, waiting, and mostly quiet as the story unfolds. He feeds Elijah. He sends angelic messengers. He bides his time until the prophet can once again listen. Then he invites Elijah out of the cave and into his presence. Elijah’s come so far – only to have God ask him quietly why he’s come and send him back again.

Has that ever happened to you? You’ve worn yourself out running, worrying, trying to outwit, out think, out maneuver whatever is scaring you, only to have God force you to face your fears?

But God doesn’t send Elijah (or us) back before he reminds us of who he is. He is God in the midst of storms, shatterings, shakings, infernos. He is not the storm, but he is in charge of the storm, and his voice can be heard when all the clamor and chaos is done. That barely discernible whisper of which we are not afraid. We emerge from our places of hiding, drawn by love.

When God speaks, it’s always worth listening to.

PRAYER: Oh God, we need your quiet presence after the storms, shatterings, shakings and infernos of life have done their damage. Just a word from you can give us the courage and hope we need to face our fears.