I was reading in 1 Kings this past week and this particular section jumped out at me. Through chapters 17,18 and 19 is the amazing story of how God uses Elijah to start a drought, clean house by shaming and then killing all the prophets of Baal. and then brings rain back. For his troubles? Sweet Jezebel puts out a contract on him. So what is any mighty man of God to do? RUN!! Yep, he runs with his tail between his legs. He flees until he finds himself in a cave at Horeb.
Now there are a lot of lessons in this story, but what hit me was the very next section after this. Elijah is in the cave and "the Word of the Lord" comes to him. "What are you doing here, Elijah?" Elijah responds with a really good excuse and some how manages to turn it around to being God's fault, because he has done everything "for the Lord God", zealously he adds. God doesn't buy it and like a good father calls him closer. "Go out and stand on the mountain in the Lord's presence." Then it happens... "at that moment, the Lord passed by."
"A great and mighty wind was tearing at the mountains and was shattering cliffs 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 there was fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire there was a voice, a soft whisper." 1Kings 19:11-12
Close your eyes and picture this scene. If you have ever been to an event where a famous person is going to be making an appearance you know what happens. First people will gather, waiting in anticipation, but then there is the first sighting by the first fan. As there screams and cheers go out they are an alarm to the others and one by one and then ten by ten, until the whole arena is roaring. After a few moments the person that is the object of the celebration walks to center stage, raises their hand and in seconds you can hear a pin drop. Everyone waiting to hear what might come from their lips.
Elijah is in a cave in the middle of nowhere. And God walks into the room. First the wind sees Him and cries out shattering the rocks! But still He is unseen. Then the earth quakes! Still no God, but He must be getting close. Then the valley fills with fire! The energy is incredible!! Then God steps to the center and raises His hand. All goes silent. Elijah steps forward. And God speaks in "a soft whisper".
As God enters the room all creation breaks into applause. (If that doesn't give you goose bumps, there's something wrong with you.) Our God is an awesome God. He is worthy of all praise and celebration. Wow!! That's my God!
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