Note: This is part 3 of a 3-week series. Click here to read Part 1: Overdone. Part 2: Closer Than You Realize.
Scripture:
“A hurricane wind ripped through the mountains and shattered the rocks before God, but God wasn’t to be found in the wind; after the wind an earthquake, but God wasn’t in the earthquake; and after the earthquake fire, but God wasn’t in the fire; and after the fire a gentle and quiet whisper. When Elijah heard the quiet voice, he muffled his face with his great cloak, went to the mouth of the cave, and stood there.” 1 Kings 19:12-13
Perspective:
Growing up, you probably played the game “telephone.” Everyone sat in a line, and the first person started whispering a message to the next person. By the time it reached the last person, the message was so different from how it started. Everyone thought they heard their neighbor correctly, but many times they did not.
Elijah was on a mountain waiting to hear from God. God wanted to speak directly to him, yet He wasn’t in the hurricane, wind, earthquake, or fire. When everything settled down, a quiet voice started speaking. Elijah knew immediately that it was God. God wanted to communicate a specific message to him. Sometimes we look for God in all the wrong places. We can get caught up in the hype of a church service or the exceptional worship music. To us, it would seem as if God would always want to make a grand appearance. But, God usually comes in the most unexpected ways, a gentle and quiet whisper. He comes in the moments when you are in your bedroom by yourself talking with Him. He comes in the silent moments of the morning as you watch the sunrise. God is always present, yet we can only hear His voice when we tune our hearts to hear Him not just hear about Him. When Elijah heard the quiet voice, he knew it was God. Tune your heart to hear God’s voice, and you will be surprised that He is already speaking.
