“Go Out And Stand On The
Mountain Before The LORD”
He said, “Go out and stand on the mountain before the
LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by.” Now there was a great wind, so strong
that it was splitting mountains and breaking rocks 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 sound of sheer silence. When Elijah heard
it, he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood at the entrance of
the cave. Then there came a voice to him that said, “What are you doing here,
Elijah?” He answered, “I have been very zealous for the LORD, the God of hosts;
for the Israelites have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed
your prophets with the sword. I alone am left, and they are seeking my life, to
take it away.” Then the LORD said to him, “Go, return
on your way to the wilderness of Damascus; when you arrive, you shall anoint Hazael as king over Aram. Also you shall anoint Jehu son of
Nimshi as king over Israel; and you shall anoint
Elisha son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah
as prophet in your place. Whoever escapes from the sword of Hazael,
Jehu shall kill; and whoever escapes from the sword of Jehu, Elisha shall kill.
Yet I will leave seven thousand in Israel, all the knees that have not bowed to
Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him.”
1 Kings 19:11-18
God could have spoken to Elijah on Mount Horeb in the wind, the earthquake, or the fire. He didn’t.
He spoke like a whisper, with a small voice.
In the depths of our fear or despair, we too may think we
are the only one serving God. That may happen right after the height of a
success. We are reminded to be still and to know that He is God. The sooner we
focus on Him and His power, the quicker we will see relief from our fear and
self-pity.
Both the clashing cymbals of our failures and the loud
trumpeting of our successes can drown out God’s still small voice. It is time
for us to quiet our hearts and listen for Him as we meditate on His Word.
To tune in to God’s voice
we must tune out this
world’s noise.
Our Daily Bread – May 5, 2009