Still Small Voice

Can you hear it?  Right there!  Are you listening?  You still can’t hear it?  Settle down.  Breathe.  And listen.  There it is.  It’s not shouting.  It’s still…it’s small…it’s the voice of God.

Elijah is a prophet in the Bible.  The book of I Kings, chapter 19 records Elijah’s escape from Jezebel.  Jezebel was the queen of Israel at that time.  She was angry with Elijah.  In the previous chapter, Elijah had shown the people of Israel that there was only one true God.  All of Jezebel’s prophets were executed by Elijah after their showdown.  Jezebel wanted revenge.  She wanted Elijah’s life.

So, the man of God, who had just witnessed the fire of the Lord consume a burnt sacrifice, wood, stones, dust, AND water in the trench, ran.  He ran into the wilderness, sat under a broom tree, and prayed to God that he might die.  An angel touched him and gave him food and water.  Elijah rested.  The angel of the Lord came a second time.  The angel told Elijah to get up and eat.  He acknowledged that the journey was too great for Elijah.

After eating that meal, Elijah went in the strength of that food for FORTY DAYS and FORTY NIGHTS.  But he wasn’t headed back to Israel.  He didn’t head back to his assignment.  He went into a cave.

God was a gentleman.  He didn’t scream.  He asked Elijah, “What are you doing here?”  So, Elijah shares with God his frustrations.  He talks about how zealous he has been for God.  He reminds God that even though the children of Israel forgot how awesome God is, he hadn’t turned his back on God.  Then he shares his feelings of being alone and his concern about Jezebel wanting to take his life.

God responds by showing Elijah an awesome display.  The Bible says that the Lord passed by and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks into pieces before the Lord.  After the wind, there is a mighty earthquake.  After the earthquake, there is fire.  But the Lord was not IN any of those displays.  He shows back up as a still small voice and says, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”

Ultimately, Elijah finally responds to God’s voice.  He recognizes God’s care and follows God’s instructions again.  God blessed him with Elisha.  He reassures Elijah that he is not the only believer in Israel.  God heard every concern that Elijah had and responded to his needs.  Elijah’s deliverance didn’t come in a shout.  It came when he was able to heed to a still small voice.  #wepreach