11 The LORD said, “Go out and stand at the mountain before the LORD. The LORD is passing by.” A very strong wind tore through the mountains and broke apart the stones before the LORD. But the LORD wasn’t in the wind. After the wind, there was an earthquake. But the LORD wasn’t in the earthquake. 12 After the earthquake, there was a fire. But the LORD wasn’t in the fire. After the fire, there was a sound. Thin. Quiet. 13 When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his coat. He went out and stood at the cave’s entrance. A voice came to him and said, “Why are you here, Elijah?” 14 He said, “I’ve been very passionate for the LORD God of heavenly forces because the Israelites have abandoned your covenant. They have torn down your altars, and they have murdered your prophets with the sword. I’m the only one left, and now they want to take my life too.” 15 The LORD said to him, “Go back through the desert to Damascus and anoint Hazael as king of Aram. 16 Also anoint Jehu, Nimshi’s son, as king of Israel; and anoint Elisha from Abel-meholah, Shaphat’s son, to succeed you as prophet. 17 Whoever escapes from the sword of Hazael, Jehu will kill. Whoever escapes from the sword of Jehu, Elisha will kill. 18 But I have preserved those who remain in Israel, totaling seven thousand—all those whose knees haven’t bowed down to Baal and whose mouths haven’t kissed him.”
Good Morning, Listen to the still, small voice!
Listen! Listening is a skill that challenges most of us at times. During my years of teaching, I learned that sometimes my students were so focused on asking their questions that they missed hearing the conversation. Their question might have been answered, but they couldn’t hear because they “turned off” their ears.
Are there times that we turn off our ears and don’t hear God speaking to us? Perhaps we are so busy with our own talking, plotting, and planning that we don’t have time to listen. Think about all the noise that fills our technology-infused world. As we traveled yesterday, noise was everywhere.
I remember a time I was running a race in Kitty Hawk that crossed the sound. The noise of the wind blowing across was deafening. Suddenly I reached the small building of the bridge lift master and there was absolute silence and it was glorious. The small break in the noise was such a relief.
God is with us always but I think it is easiest to hear him in our moments of quiet time. Be still and know that I am God. Psalm 46:10
Gracious God, Thank You for loving us. Keep speaking! We’ll try to listen! Thank you! In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen
Thought for the day: What helps me to listen for God’s voice?
Listen! God is Speaking! Pastor Liz