Day 227 Gentle Whisper

 

8/15/2025 

"After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not

in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper."

1 Kings 19:12

 

Yesterday I celebrated my 75th birthday, a landmark in my life. Only God knows the length of our days, and He wants us to live our lives to the fullest potential He has given us for His purpose, bringing glory to His Name. That is the desire of my heart. When I look around this house, and I see the roof needing repair and upkeep, check out the condition of the sidewalks and steps, and the wearing of paint and repair needed to the house itself on the outside and inside it can be pretty overwhelming. Although most of my clothing is over 40 years old, it has withstood the test of time, because I sewed it myself, and it still looks really nice. I still get compliments on the quality and craftsmanship of my simple skirts. It doesn't matter if my skirts are outdated, because I have my own sense of style, and I know what I like. What other people may think or say, really doesn't phase me. So when someone asks me what I need or want, my mind goes blank, because honestly, I have everything I need or want at the time. There are days, like when I'm walking through Hobby Lobby, and I see all the calico fabrics or art stuff that my imagination begins to explode, but I just refocus my thoughts on why I went into the store in the first place. I really do not have the time to browse, unless I'm looking for a special gift for a friend. The point is that my life is so full of Jesus that I really don't need or want anything else. Now that may sound "holy or righteous," but I assure you, it is not. I've just grown past the desire to keep up with people, not that I ever did, but you get the point. 

A couple of days in a row the Lord directed my devotional reading towards topics relating to ingratitude of the heart. Personally, I like to think of myself as grateful for everything God has done for me, and for the kindnesses shown to me by others. But when I thought about it, I could see how I have erred recently on the side of not appreciating someone or something. It's easy to do by taking something a person says or does wrongly, or perhaps, picking up an offense of others who have been wronged. Again, easy to do. I attempt to ask forgiveness quickly, as I do not want an open door for the enemy to sneak in. But I pay close attention when the Lord speaks.

The scripture above from 1 Kings 19:12 relates to the time when Elijah the prophet of Israel is on the run from Jezebel, after he's killed all the prophets of Baal plus her devotees. So she wants to kill him. Interesting how this mighty man of God can swing from boldly putting 450 prophets of Baal and four hundred prophets of Asherah to death to fearing for his life. The story is told in 1 Kings 17-19, and it really is worth the read, but then, isn't all of scripture? Or it should be! So Elijah, aided by an angel sent by God to feed him for the time it would take to cross the desert, 40 days and 40 nights, makes it to the Mountain of the Lord, Mount Horeb or Mount Sinai. When Elijah gets to the mountain, God asks him why he's there, and Elijah releases all his pent up anxiety and fear, then God tells him to "Go out, and stand on the mountain before the LORD." Elijah does as he is told, and the LORD passes by in a dramatic way according to 1 Kings 19:11-12:

"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, and after the fire a still small voice."

God once again asks Elijah why he's there, and he tells God the same story of all he's done for Him, his obedience, and that all the prophets of God had been killed, except him, by Jezebel who is now after him. So, God tells him basically what He said to me at one time, "Get off your face!" God instructs him on what to do, and then God tells Elijah that He had reserved seven thousand in Israel who had not bowed their knees to Baal. 

It's in the quiet times that we can hear God's voice more clearly, as we lay our cares at His feet, and allow Him to instruct and heal. He knows what we need and when we need it. After all, He is the one who crafted us, formed us in our mother's wombs, and He has anointed us with the power of His Holy Spirit to accomplish great things for His glory. He's just waiting for us to surrender, admit we are not independent of needing His help. The word says that He is long-suffering, not wanting anyone to perish but all to turn their lives to Him. He's tenacious, as well. He never leaves us or forsakes us.

God invites us to experience His peace and rest. He gives us the Sabbath, so we can renew and refresh ourselves - make the crooked places straight as we recline beside the still waters, as Psalm 23 says. This psalm, written by David, was time of stress in David's life, but he knew the rest and provision of His Father, even in the presence of his enemies. In these trying times, uncertainties are reported at each turn or scroll of the cell phone, or each time you flip on the television hoping for an escape or to relax. There seems to be no end to the hoopla or mayhem. But God! He's our fortress in the time of struggle, our refuge in the times of storms. Isn't that what we sing in our hymns or read in the psalms? God's rest, His quiet, His very presence is available to us. Sit quietly today, wait, and see that the LORD is good. His faithfulness endures to all generations. These are not just words. They are promises He makes, and God always keeps His promise! May He whisper in your ear today in His still, small voice.