The small little voice
Some Christians claim to have a child-like faith where they don’t need reason or explanation for what they believe. But life can disappoint us, dreams get damaged, plans get cancelled. When things like that happen, we can lose this child-like faith.
A great man of faith who performed miracles, brought the dead back to life, and even ascended to heaven, also happened to be a man who struggled with his faith at one point of immense distress.
Before 1 Kings 19:1-12, Elijah had preached one of the greatest sermons of his life. He had confronted 400 prophets of Baal on the Mt. Carmel and exposed them as the false prophets they were. Because of Elijah’s faith and obedience, God sent fire down from heaven to consume the sacrifice he had placed on the altar. Then a few hours later God sent a downpour of rain on a land that hadn't had rain for three years. Those were exciting days for Elijah… but not everybody was pleased by what Elijah did that day. One of these people was Queen Jezebel, who sent Elijah a message saying that by tomorrow, he would be dead. Knowing that Queen Jezebel would go through with her promise, Elijah ran away until he was so exhausted that he rested under a broom tree.
As we look at this passage, we can presume Elijah ran away out of panic. If you’ve ever experienced a panic attack you know the symptoms are a racing heart rate, sweating, and/or trembling accompanied by a feeling of an impending threat of harm or even death.
According to the Mayo Clinic, one of the ways to deal with panic attacks are to make sleep a priority. So God gave Elijah what he needed: time to sleep. Why? Because God cared for Elijah. But sleep wasn’t going to be enough. Sleep alone was not going to take care of the fundamental problem that caused Elijah’s anxiety. Elijah desperately needed to know that God cared for him.
God then says in verse 11-12: “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.”
God was in the whisper saying, “I care for you”. Too often people view God as harsh and unsympathetic to their needs; they see Him as powerful and merciless in judgement, like what was symbolized by the wind, earthquake and fire. Or in today’s situation with the coronavirus. But notice, God wasn't in those things. God WAS in the whisper.
Elijah was reassured, and we are even more reassured that God is with us and cares for us. We have it even better, as we have something today that Elijah didn’t have. We have the same still voice of the Holy Spirit whispering to us that God cares deeply for us. When God took on flesh, died on the cross for us, and rose from the grave in victory, it allowed us to look upon the face of Jesus and know He cares for us. As Hebrews 12:2 declares “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Dear Father in Heaven,
You are the God of calm and comfort. I thank you that you care for me and you listen to my prayers. Please enable me to walk by faith. At times of uncertainty and anxiety, help me to look to security in you Son, Jesus. And give me courage to point others to the One that cares for me, and in whom there is hope.
In Jesus’ name I pray,
Amen