Still Small Voice

40 Days of Reflection 

Although Zachary and I were home sick today, our Small Group Children's Church lesson was the conclusion of the story of Elijah. This is one of my top five favorite Old Testament stories. Last week we learned about how Elijah stood for God against the prophets of Baal, Ahab and Jezebel. He was the catalyst for God to prove before all the people that He was the TRUE God of Heaven. This week was the lesson was that even after all that, Elijah felt alone and afraid and went off by himself. God took care of him and Elijah waited to hear from God. Elijah saw many loud and powerful signs, but God was not in them. Finally, God sent a still small voice and Elijah heard from God.

 (‭1 Kings‬ ‭19‬:‭11-13‬a NLT)

“Go out and stand before me on the mountain,” the LORD told him. And as Elijah stood there, the LORD passed by, and a mighty windstorm hit the mountain. It was such a terrible blast that the rocks were torn loose, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake there was a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire there was the sound of a gentle whisper. Then Elijah heard it,"

Many times we search for God in the BIG, extreme signs. Sometimes, God speaks in the quiet that causes us to really be listening. Recently, God has spoken to me about BIG things, but He has spoken in very subtle ways.

Sometimes we are discouraged when we think God isn't there. We think we can't see Him at work or hear Him, but He is there. 

Just like Elijah, sometimes in that discouragement, God speaks in a still small voice - after the BIG event has seemed to pass.

I see that Jesus also experienced something similar. After his "Big Reveal" into ministry, his baptism, God spoke through the Holy Spirit, announcing that this was His Son in whom he was very pleased. Then Jesus was sent into the wilderness, alone and tempted by the devil. I'm sure it was very quiet and maybe God's voice wasn't easily heard. But God sent His Angels to comfort and attend to him. Even though, Jesus may have felt alone and and tired, God was there and taking care of His needs.

Mark 1:9-13

9 At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 Just as Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. 11 And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”

12 At once the Spirit sent him out into the wilderness, 13 and he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted[a] by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and angels attended him.

There are many unknowns in my life, just as there are in others. Sometimes I feel like for every exciting "Mt Carmel" experience , I then feel alone and scared. Or every time, I feel like God may be pleased with something that I've done, the devil tempts me to believe that I am a failure. I'm thankful that like Elijah and Jesus and a host of other spiritual ancestors that have felt the same way, God was always there!!

This Lent I want to listen, so I can hear the still small voice. I pray you can do the same!