God's Still, Small Voice

Who doesn't love a good Old Testament story from the Bible?  I remember one in particular about a prophet named Elijah. You may remember that he went to Mount Horeb (later called Mt. Sinai), to hide in a cave out of fear and desperation.  Something that I think many of us feel like doing from time to time. In this particular case, however, there was a death threat against him and the other prophets of God. He refused to commit idolatry and bow down to Jezebel's false god.  Worship of false gods and idols was very common in those days, and Elijah wasn't the only one affected.  But he was the only one left still alive at this point, so he was quite discouraged. 

1 Kings 19:11-13 says this, "Then He said, “Go out, and stand on the mountain before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces 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; and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice. So it was, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood in the entrance of the cave. Suddenly a voice came to him, and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 

I think the first question we can ask from this passage is: what is our proverbial “cave?”  Where do you and I hide out? Are we too busy with too many extracurricular activities? Do we hide in a relationship, and bounce from partner to partner perhaps?  Or maybe we hide behind religion, attending every church service - but never praying or growing as a Christian.  The details are not that important. 

But do we find time to talk to God regardless? To meditate on His Word? In other words, do we take time to listen for that still, small voice of the Lord?  Personally, I want to hear His voice; I never really get tired of it.  It always seems to have that same ring of truth to it.

I believe an example was set in my Bible study group at work years ago.  A collection of us met regularly during lunch, and each week it was someone else's turn to bring a piece of Scripture and a lesson.  A very rewarding experience I would add!  As it happened, I worked with a lady that was caught in the 'wind and the earthquake and the fire' mentioned in the passage above, for most of her life. We will call her Kim. It’s not her fault of course, things happened to her in her life that were out of her control.  Things that would lead any sane person to wonder if God was really up there.  Things that shouldn't be allowed or condoned in our society ... but yet they still occur. 

At one point during one of our lessons, Kim made the decision to accept Jesus and see what all the fuss was about.  We prayed a prayer asking God to come into her heart, and she was actually saved and born again right there in that small office.  You could feel the Holy Spirit in the air.  Both heavy and comforting. 

I've lost track of Kim over the years, I hope she is doing well.  I hope that she has weathered all of her storms also, and that she continues to search and learn about God.  Through the driving force of suffering and tragedy, Kim sought out a holy God.  A God who whispered in a still, small voice ... just loud enough for only her to hear.  She counts herself lucky, actually.  So is anyone who takes time out to hear the voice of the Lord.

 

 

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