Camped in a cave on the side of Mount Sinai, far from the dangers of Jezebel and her wicked hounds, Elijah pondered God’s plan. “He entered a cave there and spent the night. Suddenly, the word of the Lord came to him, and he said to him, ‘What are you doing here, Elijah?’ ” (1 Kings 19:9).
Suppose God asked you the same question... “What are you doing here?”
Elijah complained, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God of Armies, but the Israelites have abandoned your covenant, torn down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. I alone am left, and they are looking for me to take my life” (1 Kings 19:10).
God told His prophet, “ ‘Go out and stand on the mountain in the Lord’s presence.’ At that moment, the Lord passed by” (1 Kings 19:11).
Suddenly, there was a hurricane-like wind that tore at the mountain. Then came an earthquake that shook the world’s foundations, and a wind-whipped fire that scorched the earth. But God’s voice wasn’t clear. Elijah could recognize God’s power, but he couldn’t discern His message (1 Kings 19:11–12).
After demonstrating His awesome powers, God’s message came in a “a soft whisper”
(1 Kings 19:12), “a low whisper” (ESV), “a still small voice” (NKJV).
When God determined to emancipate the Hebrew slaves from Egypt, he could have sent an invading army. He didn’t. God spoke in a “a still small voice” and Moses, a runaway, a retired guy, a shepherd.
God had the power to defeat the Philistine army. He could have used extraordinary measures. He might have written the story in neon, but instead, he sent a teenager named David. Powerful weapons? No. Just five stones.
God’s story is punctuated with “soft whispers.”
When the Midianites overwhelmed God’s chosen people, God used Gideon, the smallest, the weakest, the least. God didn’t shout. God didn’t use a highly qualified military strategist. He used a guy who was afraid of his own shadow.
When it was time to save mankind, God spoke softly. In a little barn, on the backside of Bethlehem, a poor carpenter and his young wife, welcomed a tiny baby named Jesus. God spoke in “a low whisper.”
“What are you doing here?” Are you waiting for God to extend a personal invitation for you to join His army? Do you expect God to write it in the sky? Are you waiting for a wind, an earthquake, or a fire? More than likely, God will speak to you in the early morning hours, while you sit in a quiet corner, reading from His Holy Word and praying. Listen closely. He’ll probably whisper.
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