The story is very familiar. After winning a
stunning victory over 450 prophets of Baal, Elijah turns tail and runs from 1
woman. He runs from the north to the south, ultimately to a cave in the
mountain of God. Yes, the same mountain where God gave Moses the 10
Commandments. God sends a mighty wind, an earthquake, and a fire but the Lord
is in none of those. Then comes (literally) “a voice, a thin silence” (19:12)
that is the Lord speaking.
But
what about God’s mighty display on Mt. Carmel? What about Isaiah 30:27 “Behold,
the name of the Lord comes from afar, burning with his anger, and in thick
rising smoke; his lips are full of fury, and his tongue is like a devouring
fire?” What about Nahum 1:3-5 “The Lord is slow to anger and great in power,
and the Lord will by no means clear the guilty. His way is in whirlwind and
storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet. He rebukes the sea and makes it
dry; he dries up all the rivers; Bashan and Carmel wither; the bloom of Lebanon
withers. The mountains quake before him; the hills melt; the earth heaves
before him, the world and all who dwell in it?” Doesn’t God always speak and
act in mighty, thunderous ways? No, sometimes he speaks in a still small voice.
We
must remember that. There are those times when the communication from the Lord
is through his Word and thunders into our minds and hearts. Other times, we
almost have to strain to know what he is saying to us. We must listen closely
and focus intently and seek him diligently. Just because he is quiet does not
mean that he is not there.
Prayer:
Father, help me to hear you when you speak to me whether loudly or softly.
Please give me ears to hear. And help me to obey when you speak.
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