July 2, 2024
Still Small Voice -- Part 2
1 Kings 19:11-12
07/02/2024
11 And he said, ``Go out and stand on the mount
before the LORD.'' And behold, the LORD passed by,
and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and
broke in pieces the rocks 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.
12 And after the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was
not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of
a low whisper. (ESV)
Elijah the prophet was hiding from Queen Jezebel. Earlier
he had demonstrated to the children of Israel that the LORD God
was the one true God by asking God to bring fire from the sky to
consume a burnt offering. The prophets of Ba'al, an idol, failed
at the same task. Because the people who witnessed this display
of God's power killed the prophets of Ba'al, Jezebel vowed to
have Elijah executed.
So Elijah ran and hid. While in seclusion, God spoke to
him.
And he said, ``Go out and stand on the mount before the
LORD.'' And behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and
strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the
rocks 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 the sound of a low whisper.
We talk of God's alien work and God's proper work. God's
alien work is punishing sin, displaying His power over all of
creation, and bringing terror to those who reject Him. His
proper work is showing grace, love, and mercy to all sinners who
repent, who do not reject His offer of forgiveness.
God was not found in the wind or the earthquake or the fire.
Those are evidence of His alien work, His work of condemnation.
He was found in the low whisper, in the still small voice which
brings comfort and not fear.
May our Lord grant us His richest comfort as we hear His
Word as given to us in the Bible. Amen.