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When God Whispers

“..and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice.” (1 Kings 19:12)

There are moments in life when hopelessness seems to engulf us. It's an inevitable part of our journey, a thread of despair that can consume us.

This is the story of Elijah. He lived as a prophet during the reign of a king who had turned away from God, making his life far from easy.

King Ahab, along with his wife Queen Jezebel, had led the Israelites astray, luring them to worship the false god Baal. Elijah, in response, challenged the prophets of Baal to a showdown, a test to reveal whose God was real. They attempted their rituals, even cutting themselves in fervent devotion, but their efforts were in vain. Then Elijah called upon the Lord, and in a display of divine power, fire descended from heaven to consume Elijah's offering. The flames even licked up the water in the surrounding trench.

Elijah emerged as the clear victor.

However, when Jezebel, Ahab's enraged consort, learned of the defeat of her false prophets, she vowed to take Elijah's life. And so, despite his recent glorious victory and the demonstration of fire descending from heaven, Elijah was suddenly gripped by fear and fled to save himself.

He ran for dear life to Beersheba, far in the south of Judah. He left his young servant there and then went on into the desert another day’s journey. He came to a lone broom bush and collapsed in its shade, wanting in the worst way to be done with it all—to just die: “Enough of this, God! Take my life—I’m ready to join my ancestors in the grave!” Exhausted, he fell asleep under the lone broom bush.

Wow!

Despair...

Have you ever experienced it too? Just when we reach the mountaintop, a fierce wind comes, fear strikes, and our newfound joy is snuffed out. Fear sneaks in softly, and suddenly everything seems dark and spiraling down.

But praise God, for He is our Comforter. He came to awaken Elijah from his exhausted slumber, providing him with food.

Afterward, Elijah embarked on a forty-day journey, walking tirelessly until he found refuge in a cave. It was there that the Lord called out to him. Elijah, still burdened with anger and despair, responded with continued negativity.

Then God revealed something extraordinary. He unleashed powerful winds that split rocks, followed by a mighty earthquake and raging fire. But in the midst of all those tumultuous elements, God was not in there to be found.

Instead, the Lord whispered softly into Elijah's ear.

Like a symphony transitioning from a thunderous crescendo to a tender melody, the resounding noise gave way to a gentle whisper—deeply moving and profoundly touching.

Why did God choose to whisper? Because whispers are reserved for those who are close to us.

God uplifted Elijah's spirit. He had gone the extra miles to conduct a special concert for Elijah, just to show His whisper.

In those moments when desperation threatens to engulf our souls, let us not close ourselves off, but instead open our hearts wide and attune our ears to God’s whisper. For in His presence, we discover an embrace that encompasses us with tender care and a whisper that speaks directly to the depths of our being. It is in these moments that we are invited to truly experience the comforting touch of God and to wholeheartedly accept the peace that surpasses all understanding.

In the end, all shall be well.