A 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. – 1 Kings 19.11-12

Elijah was really down in the dumps. That great recent victory had faded into memory. The rain after the drought had paled. All he could think about was Jezebel’s threat to kill him. He didn’t respond to an angelic visit. He wasn't encouraged by God’s words. He was so focused on self he was determined to be depressed.

So God tells him to go out on the mountain and listen.

What happens next would look great in a film.

There was a windstorm so great that it broke the rocks in pieces – but God wasn't speaking through that storm.

Then there was a mighty earthquake – but God wasn't speaking through the earthquake.

Then there was a mighty fire – but God wasn't speaking through the fire.

Where was God? Why wasn't He speaking?

But after the fire was a still small voice – and that is where God was.

I love this image of the still small voice. It reminds me of the Holy Spirit has Paraclete, coming alongside with His voice of comfort. That still small voice can be more awesome and more powerful than all the storms and earthquakes and fires in the world. It is the quiet voice of a patient loving parent encouraging us along our way.

God still uses that still small voice today. He doesn't always act in dramatic ways. Sometimes while doing devotions or praying or just thinking through a situation the Holy Spirit will quietly speak to our hearts and give us just exactly what we need. In order to hear that still small voice though we need to be quiet enough to hear Him.