God Comes In the Quiet

One of my favorite passages of Scripture comes from I Kings 19:11-13.
We find Elijah completely exhausted, running for his life, and wanting to die.  He had just walked for forty days and nights across barren land and was hiding in a cave.  Then the Lord speaks, "What are you doing here Elijah?"  What was he doing there?  Was he just needing a little peace and quiet?  Did he really want life to end?  Was he tired of listening to wicked queens and idol worshiping prophets?  Was it all just too much?  Do I go cave dwelling too?

The Father says, "I want to show you something, go stand over there, on the edge of the mountain, for the LORD is about to pass by."  (taken from v. 11)

Then a powerful wind shatters the rocks, a mighty earthquake ravages the earth, and a raging fire storms the land.  But the Lord was not in these.  No, the Creator came in a "gentle whisper."  The very presence of God was revealed in quiet breath floating across the air. 

He has revealed Himself in this way all along, or do we forget the breath of life that gave Adam his beginning.  The very name of Yahweh - YHWH- the sound of a whisper.  Noah's rainbow covenant stretched across the winds' breathy home.  The pillar of cloud moved by the windy breath of God to lead His people out of bondage to the Promised Land.  This intangible mystery - the breath of God - the Almighty is here and He speaks (to us).

So often I am too busy watching the whirlwind, the earthquake, the fire to stop. . . to listen. . .to wait. . . for the whisper.

God comes in the quiet. 

He comes when we stop the busyness and dwell in the solitude.  He wants to be alone. . .with me.  He wants to tell me so many things, but rarely do I slow my wheels, turn off this ever running engine and listen.  Even if I do pause, sometimes I'm afraid.  Afraid of what He might say, because I know it will demand obedience or refusal on my part.  Sometimes I want to dwell in my cave a little longer and soothe my own hurts, seek my own self. . .  but He is the answer to all of those hurts, He is the balm that soothes the soul.


What now?  Wait. . .

Wait some more. . .

When the time is right, when the soul is calm, when the whilrwinds are over He will speak. . .

Listen.  Obey.

I have heard His voice before and I am always taken by surprise at the peace, authority, and love it breathes over me.  He is speaking, if only I will hear. . . His words. . . the Word.


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"We like to listen to personal testimonies, but we do not desire that God Himself should speak to us.  Why are we so terrified lest God speak to us?  Because we know that if God does speak, either the thing must be done or we must tell God we will not obey Him. . . Lord cause Thy glorious voice to be heard in this place and in my soul."      - Oswald Chambers