"And He said, 'Go out and stand on the mount before the Lord.' And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks 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 the sound of a low whisper. And when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And behold, there came a voice to him and said, 'What are you doing here, Elijah?'" 1 Kings 19:11-13
The Lord has handed over a great victory to Elijah in his battle against Jezebel's false prophets. For a short time Elijah celebrates, but then he becomes fearful and depressed when he sees no spiritual conversion, and Jezebel threatens his life. He runs away, wishing to die.
The Lord has His eye on Elijah and sends angelic messengers to minister to him. Finally refreshed, Elijah travels forty days and nights until he reaches Horeb, the mountain of God. There the word of God comes to him and instructs him to stand on the mountain while He passes by. Elijah obeys and three cataclysmic events take place: a mighty wind that breaks the rocks in the mountain, followed by an earthquake, and a fire. But God isn't in any of those phenomena. Instead, He speaks in a gentle breeze that comes afterward. Elijah's response is to humble himself before the Lord.
There is an important lesson here for us today. God speaks to us all the time through His word, the Bible. When we are discouraged and fatigued we may be vulnerable to the lies of the enemy, and the last place Satan wants us to go is to scripture, because that is the primary way God speaks to us. Everything we need to live victoriously is found in scripture (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
It's a beautiful thing to commune with the God of the Universe by reading His word. Every verse we read is God's "quiet whisper" to us.
Today's music video Whisper by Jason Upton speaks about Jesus speaking to us and telling us of His love. Although Jason doesn't specifically point us to scripture, I believe if we listen to this song in light of today's devotional and turn to God's word for His "whisper" we will be well served by this song. I hope that makes sense. It's a beautiful song.
I love you, I'm thinking of you, and I'm praying for you.
Beautiful scriptures and beautiful song...sometimes I know I get caught up in "stuff" that I forget to listen for the whispers. That song reminded me to listen for that still small voice.
ReplyDeleteThis is a good reminder that the Lord speaks to us in different ways, one of which, I guess the biggest of which, is His Word. I've had times when I've hoped to hear from Him "another way," then I'll be reading my Bible and there is exactly what I needed. I think the key is to really be listening for His voice.
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful week Nancy. Love the music always. Hugs. Kris
ReplyDeleteYour word is a lamp to my feet.
ReplyDeleteThis is so beautiful. I think we get so caught up in the loud voice around us and we forget to stay quiet and hear the whisper. Have a beautiful 4th. Hugs. Kris
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