Friday, March 09, 2007

Just the Whisper



Bible Study for Today from the Nugget Series #39

1 Kings 19:11-14 And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the LORD. And, behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the LORD; but the LORD was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the LORD was not in the earthquake: 12 And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice. 13 And it was so, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave. And, behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here, Elijah? 14 And he said, I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: because the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.

How often do we, as Elijah, look for God in the monumental events that we witness from time to time. We look for the hand of God in earthquake, fire and storm. We seek signs to confirm that God has spoken to us or shown us which way we are to travel on our journey of life. How often are we disappointed when we have sought for a sign only to find that a sign has not been given.

Elijah has just won a battle against the prophets of Baal as chronicled in chapter 18. He has called down the mighty fire of God to burn up his offering to Him. He has shown himself to be a great prophet of God which was in touch with God and had God's ear. He has personally slain the 450 prophets of Baal that led the people astray. After all this mighty work Elijah let's the threat of one woman strike fear in his heart and he runs. (1Kings 19:1-3)

Such a sad commentary on a mighty warrior for God. Elijah runs at the threat of a woman and gets to feeling so dejected that he wishes to die. Instead God's angel feeds him and strengthens him and he heads for the Mount of God to seek for God.

Arriving at the Mount Horeb Elijah crawls into a cave and lodges with the pangs of a wounded conscience eating at him. Through this troubled conscience a voice comes to him asking what he is doing there. Then the voice speaks to him and tells him to go out of the cave and stand on the mount before the LORD. Elijah obeys and goes out expecting to see the mighty glory of God shining before him in revelation.

A mighty wind comes by and rends the rocks into pebbles and Elijah looks for God in this mighty force of wind. Not there! An earthquake then shakes the mountain on which Elijah stands and again he does not find God to be there for him. God then sends a searing, roaring fire and Elijah thinks surely this is the Lord God Almighty, but no, again it is not God.

I picture in my mind a deathly silence following the majestic events as Elijah ponders all he has witnessed in the last few moments. His mind races back to the events leading to the execution of the prophets of Baal and Elijah starts feeling pity for himself again. Elijah had to have known that he had deserted in the face of the enemy. He must have felt the guilt of cowardice (1Kings 19:4) and surely felt that God had left him because of his weakness.

Then from down in his soul comes and almost inaudible voice. Elijah; it softly whispers. A second time it quietly calls out to him "what doest thou here?". Oh the thunder of that inaudible whisper as it forced Elijah to confront his situation. God says in His word "Be still and know that I am God--" (Psalm 46:10).

Too often we are so busy looking for God in all the wrong places that we forget to look inward to the indwelling Spirit (John 14:16-17) that God has placed within His children. God speaks to us from within that comfort or chastise according to the need. That voice will give us direction and instruction if we will but stand still and listen.

We want the powerful manifestation yet it is down deep in our soul that God communes with us. The Psalmist David had learned this lesson and penned these words: Psalm 4:4 Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah.
The next time you want to find God and hear His voice, I suggest you get to a quiet place and look inwardly to the God who has in-dwelt your soul. Stand in awe, knowing that God is omnipotent yet merciful enough to speak even to us, as he did Elijah in that still small voice.

Hillbilly


Poetry

Wisdom Whispers


Wisdom whispers to my mind
Commandments clear and true-
Love the Lord with all my might
And to share Christ’s love with you.

Wisdom whispers to my heart
While I live from beat to beat
Made secure in the Lord’s keep
For He woke me from my sleep.

Wisdom whispers to my soul
All the day and all the night
Echoing my Savior’s name
Jesus Christ, my one true Light.

Julie Pisacane © 2007

My Poetry

Psalm 49:3
My mouth shall speak of wisdom;
and the meditation of my heart shall
be of understanding.






May God richly bless all of you ,

Pages of My Heart Ministry