I have heard folks ask “How do I know when God is talking to me?” “How do I hear his voice?”
I was reading in the book of 1 Kings and I came across this description of God speaking to Elijah.
The LORD said, "Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by."
Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. 1 Kings 19:11-12 (NIV)
I find that fascinating. God was not in the mighty wind, nor in the earthquake. God was not in the fire. Yes, they all preceded God - but where was God’s voice? In a gentle whisper.
Whispers can be hard to hear. I know there are times when someone whispers something to me, and I am unable to hear it if there is a lot of background noise going on. Sometimes I will realize something is being said, but I am not sure what. Other times, I miss it completely.
I wonder how many times I have missed God’s whisper because of all the background noise in my life. I often wonder if perhaps part of the lesson of my challenges was for me to slow down, and learn to listen. My “previous” life was so busy I barely had time for anything. I rarely heard God. I see now that there was a very good reason for that.
One of the positive aspects of facing my challenges is that I am learning to be still and listen. God has granted me the gift of time - rest from the business of the world.
How amazing that the God of the universe chooses to speak to us in such an intimate manner as a whisper! And how still we need be to hear those whispers!
God comes to us quietly as we quiet ourselves to listen. There is anticipation and excitement in that for me as I wonder. “What will He whisper to me today?” My job? To be still enough to hear it.
What will He whisper to you today?
Father God, I ask that you give each reader the ability to slow down today, and to listen expectantly for your voice. Amen and Amen, Lord. So be it!
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