The Voice of the Lord
The Lord our God speaks to His people & we see this clearly throughout Scripture.
Initially in the first book (Genesis 3:9-19), supremely in the life & ministry of Jesus (Mark 1:11, 9:7), & finally in the last book (Revelation 22).
God spoke to different individuals, families, groups of people & nations – at times very powerfully but also through deep intimacy.
Always revealing His love, along with His plans & purposes (Amos 3:7).
Yesterday we saw the shout & victory cry of the Lord. Today we will contrast that with His still small voice.
Then He said, “Go out, and stand on the mountain before the Lord.”
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, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice. So it was, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood in the entrance of the cave. Suddenly a voice came to him, and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 1 Kings 19:11-13
Elijah was confronted with some awesome displays of power as the Lord passed before him.
It was the still small, delicately whispering, voice of God that caught Elijah’s attention the most though.
The still small voice speaking life & fresh purpose to the prophet who had lost heart & felt utterly rejected.
Elijah recognised that voice immediately & that is the task set before us too.
The Lord operates in the spectacular, but He also operates through simplicity too. SELAH
That still small voice constantly communicating God’s love, speaking life & revealing purpose.
The whisper of God instructing, illuminating & inspiring. So, so very good.
God is still whispering to His children in that still small, delicately whispering, voice.
It is our job to make sure that the noise & distractions of this world do not drown it out & make us miss it.
This will mean times when we separate ourselves from others & still ourselves in God’s presence.
We see that modelled so well, & so frequently, by Jesus during His earthly ministry.
Let us follow in our Master’s footsteps & seek the Lord through solitude & silence.
Take heart that God can be heard even in the still small voice of whisper & silence.
Silence is a spiritual discipline that has been practised throughout the ages.
Where, & when, we can still ourselves before Him, God will speak (Psalm 46:10).
There are times the Lord shouts aloud & there are times He whispers.
The important thing is that we are alert, paying attention & listening.
If we listen well, we will hear both the whisper & the shout. Hallelujah!!!
For Reflection
- How easily do I hear the delicate sweet whisper of the Lord?
- In what ways am I stilling myself in the Lord’s presence?
- Meditate upon the still small voice of the Lord & the place for silence.
A song related to this theme:
Prayer
Heavenly Father,
Thank you that You are active in the spectacular & the simple,
Help me to see, hear & understand You in, & through , both.
Jesus thank you that You modelled seeking & hearing the voice of the Father so well,
Keep me following faithfully in Your will & Your ways.
Holy Spirit teach & train me to hear & heed the still small voice of the Lord,
Help me filter out all the noise & distraction of this world & still myself in the Lord’s presence.
This I ask In Jesus mighty Name.
Amen
Written by Gareth Jones
