~Archive - Number Twenty Six~
"That Still Small Voice"
Let's be truthful here...don't you sometimes just want Monica from the TV show, “Touched By An Angel”, to suddenly appear (hair all aglow) speaking comforting words from God, in her adorable Irish accent? How about Morgan Freeman walking us on the heavenly clouds while he expounds on the eternal mysteries? Who wouldn't want to have an angel like Clarence Odbody (from It's A Wonderful Life) always there when we get a little depressed to point us back to how God uses us down here on earth? I have to say, I sure wouldn't mind being empowered by watching the parting of the sea or a burning bush that never burns up. Heck, I'd settle for a talking donkey!
The prophet Elijah had become exhausted, even depressed in thinking he was all alone in his service to God. He was emotionally withdrawing from the high he had just experienced when chosen to be a part of a grand miracle. God used Elijah to reveal His power to a bunch of false prophets and idol Baal worshipers. After his mission in Mt. Carmel, Elijah ran into the wilderness and God sent him an angel to minister to his weary soul. After a time of eating and resting, Elijah went into a mountain cave. The Lord met Elijah there (doesn't God always meet us where we are?). The Lord questions him by asking what he was doing and then continues to tell Elijah to go outside the cave and stand on the mountain. Then Scriptures say that the Lord passed by him and a great wind tore into the mountain (but God wasn't in the wind). Then an earthquake and fire came (but God wasn't in those either). God was in the still small voice. God was teaching Elijah, as He is teaching each one of us, that He is so close to us that we can hear the whisper of heaven, if we would only be still and quiet enough to hear Him.
Yes, the megaphone of the spectacular sounds and sights are great, and God still uses those today. But most of the time we are granted an even better discipline. It is a lesson of one who is being trained to turn our ears and hearts towards that wee, small voice, to concentrate our focus on the LORD and listen to what He is telling us. To know that He is so close to our hearts and thoughts, that we can even hear the faintest whispering of the God of the universe, is beyond believable. God dwells within the hearts of His children. Do you understand how He esteems us, by believing we could be trusted with deeper intimacy? Our faith muscle is being stretched and we are in the class of students who are being prepared to be still, and to wait and to believe. Kind of exciting if you think about it!
So, instead of complaining or wishing for something different, wishing for more visible proof, maybe we just need to learn a better discipline and learn to love that still, small voice.
Come Lord Jesus, Come...
Standing in the serenity of my Lord’s presence
impels a silent hush to be still
while His Holy Spirit touches and bathes my soul.
And in my silence…I cry,
Come Lord Jesus, Come.
My ear harkens to the tender and pleasing
whisper of my Lord’s voice,
as I hear His Word speak to me…
His truths taste sweet upon my lips.
And I will forever praise His name
And cry out,
Come Lord Jesus, Come.
I call out to see my Savior’s glory come
upon me, so that I may shine His love
for all that need the touch of His grace.
May my desire to walk worthy of His gift,
be a pleasing sweet aroma that rises
to the highest of the Heavens.
And I shall cry,
Come Lord Jesus, Come…
KM
3/15/05
May it be our desire that we be women who live in the present and are aware of the world around us. May we take notice of the blessings God gifts to each of us, and always long to hear His whispers. Shall we also pray with a more purposeful focus on God’s will? And as we stay connected in our relationship with Christ, we will become more thankful followers. Let us commit to doing this together! Close your eyes…Open your heart, let God’s Spirit empower you today.