Feb 27 - "God's Whisper"

1 Kings 19:11-12 --- “The Lord said, ‘Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.’ 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.” (a favorite verse)

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How does God speak to you? Have you heard His message for you? Are you searching for an answer to a prayer you have made, seeking discernment?

In these verses from the first book of Kings, we see Elijah going out to hear the word of God. Elijah has prayed for deliverance from those who are trying to kill him. As he waits for the Lord, chaos ensues around him. Winds, earthquakes, fire...primal and terrifying power is all around him. At first, I am sure Elijah must have thought one of these massive events was the Word of God.

Like Elijah, each of us sometimes looks for the wrong thing when searching for the purpose God has for us or the answer to our prayers. When praying for “a sign”, we sometimes expect God’s message for us to be flashing neon, in giant letters 200 feet high, stating, “HERE IS YOUR MESSAGE! DO THIS!”. But that is not always the way God speaks to us. Sometimes, in the cacophony of our daily lives, His messages to us can be drowned out. When we seek His Word, the guidance God offers to us can be quietly sitting right under our noses, but we cannot, will not or do not experience it.

Almost every time I am with my Grandma Bonnie, at some point in the conversation or our time together, she reminds me of what I assume to be one of her favorite Bible verses: “Be still and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10). Usually, when we are together, it is a time of celebration with lots of family around. Children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren are running around the house, playing talking and generally having a good time. As she has progressed in age, she spends more time sitting quietly while we are with her. She is often silently watching the things going on around her. We can tend to think this is because of her inability to communicate outwardly as effectively as she one did. Maybe she is just choosing to Be Still.

So, dear friends, do not always look for God’s Word in the power and might of a rushing wind or violent storm. Seek him in the quiet moments. Be still. Listen. Make sure you don’t miss His gentle whisper to you.