New Days, Old Demons: A Study of ElijahShembull

How Do You Discern the Presence of God?

In this scene of Elijah’s life, we see God’s version of a surprise party. For starters, Elijah thinks he is utterly alone. He’s in a cave and believes that he’s the only true Christian left on the earth.

If we’re honest, we’ve all felt this way at some point. Whether at school, work, or even our church, it can seem like everyone else has fallen away and we are the last true believer around. If Elijah has some bouts with self-righteousness and self-pity, then we all will. One pastor friend of mine calls this the “Elijah Complex”. Some people have an inferiority complex, others have a superiority complex, and still others have an Elijah Complex, thinking that they alone are carrying the true faith in the world.

God tells Elijah about the remnant, naming “seven thousand in Israel, all the knees that have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him.” In our day, there is in fact great spiritual apostasy, driven by the demonic. However, there are still faithful believers, churches, and Bible teachers who have not bent their knee in surrender to Baal. This should encourage true believers to remain true to God, and to find one another to encourage each another as the days grow darker.

This kind of mutually encouraging Christian friendship is exactly what God provides Elijah, with the arrival of Elisha, who becomes a spiritual son much like Timothy and Titus in relationship with Paul in the New Testament. Elijah was simply working a regular job when they met, plowing a field with the help of oxen. Elisha’s name means, “God saves”, he is part of the remnant, loves the Lord, and is living a rather quiet and private life when everything changes, and this “man of God” is called to assist Elijah with his ministry.

Like the disciples who dropped their fishing nets to follow Jesus, Elisha literally walks off the job to start walking with Elijah. Completely devoted to the Lord, he immediately kills the oxen, which are the source of his wealth, and throws a lavish BBQ for his neighbors before heading off on the prophetic lifetime adventure God has planned for him. Elisha would spend the next years in training, learning from Elijah, until the leadership mantle is passed to Elisha when Elijah is taken up to Heaven. Elisha’s life is recorded in 2 Kings 2-13, and Jesus mentions him in Luke 4:27.

Lastly, in this scene of Elijah’s life, how God speaks to him is among the most famous stories about Elijah’s incredible life. The Word of the Lord had come to Elijah yet again. We are repeatedly told that God’s Word came to or through Elijah, showing his utter dependence on the Word of God and our need for the same. Although Elijah knew God’s Word, and was a mature man of God, he was still learning how to discern God’s presence. In Elijah’s example, we see our great need for God’s Word and God’s presence.

Something like a hurricane came, but God was not in it. At other times, God was in the wind, but not this time. God had revealed Himself to Elijah previously in the “wind”, but this encounter with God would be fresh.

Then, an earthquake came, but God was not in it. At other times, God was revealed in the earthquake, but not this time. Perhaps God had revealed Himself to Elijah previously if the ground shook when the fire that consumed the offering on Mount Carmel came with such lightning-like force that even the stones were utterly destroyed, or if the ground shook when pounded by the “great rain”, but this encounter with God would be different.

Next, a fire came, but God was not in it. At other times, God was revealed in the fire (Genesis 19:24; Exodus 3:2-3, 13:22; Leviticus 9:24-10:2; Deuteronomy 4:24; Acts 2:3-4), but not this time. God had revealed Himself to Elijah previously in “the fire of the Lord”, but this encounter with God would be different.

Lastly, there was “a low whisper”. God came this time not boldly, but humbly. Not powerfully, but gently. Not in a big way, but in a little way. Many years later, God would come as the baby boy Jesus Christ, who was humble, gentle, and little. God has a way of surprising us when He reveals His presence. Elijah was immediately aware of God’s presence in the “low whisper”, and “when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak”.

Perhaps God is still speaking, and few are listening. We get so busy talking and filling our lives with so much noise and nonsense, largely due to technology, that if God did whisper to us, we would not hear Him.

How are you at getting times of silence to clear your mind and hear from God? What are some possible bad habits that have hindered this pursuit of silence?