He was not in the wind, fire and earthquake.
The day was hot, very hot, unusually hot. At 3.30 pm the atmosphere changed and the sky darkened. We needed rain and we prayed for it. The rain usually announces its arrival by thunderstorms. These were missing today when the drops fell. They were gentle, peaceful, unexpected. There was refreshing rain and a change in the atmosphere. The ground was thirsty for rain. Our expectation of rain is that it is preceded by loud signs. This was not so today.
Elijah had fled Horeb after death threats by Jezebel. God spoke to Elijah and told him to get out of the cave and go out on the mountain because he would pass by. “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. And when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave.” (1 Kings 19:11b-13a)
We may be looking for God in the big sermons, in great miracles and happenings. The story in Kings tells us that God had passed by but was not in the great and physical manifestations. The sound of a low whisper came after the strong wind, the earthquake and the fire. A whisper is hard to hear. A low whisper is even harder. But Elijah heard it. God had previously manifested himself powerfully through fire at Mt Carmel. God revealed himself in quiet ways. God reveals himself in different ways on different occasions and for different people. God cannot be boxed into our expectations. We have to tune our spiritual ears to hear our spiritual eyes to see him anew, every day for the tasks ahead. Elijah needed to hear from God for his next assignment.
Are you at crossroads in your life and need clarity in your next step? What are your expectations? Have the past events in your life jolted you into unbelief and fear? Keep looking to Jesus. Be steadfast in waiting for him. As He came through for Elijah during his hour of tribulation and helped him, Our God today longs to help you and move you in to your destiny. Listen for His still small voice through his word. He is passing by. Unlike that time when he was absent in the wind, earthquake and fire, he is always present and speaking to us through his word. You only need to hear him.
Purpose to sit and read God’s word. Meditate on it. Pray and listen to what he is saying. He is passing by.
