Listen In Sheer Silence

He said, “Go out and stand on the mountain before the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.” Now there was a great wind, so strong that it was splitting mountains and breaking rocks in pieces 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 a sound of sheer silence. When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. Then there came a voice to him that said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
                                                                            (1 Kings 19:11-13 NRSV)

Alone in the wilderness, the prophets of the old testament spent much time. Elijah was very much afraid because he was being hunted down by that woman Jezebel because he had killed her prophets of Baal. Elijah ran for his life. 

He had no clue what he should do. He needed instruction. He needed to know the Lord's will. An angel of the Lord instructed him to go and stand on the mountain where the Lord would pass by him. When angels speak, that usually catches our attention, so Elijah did as he was instructed. He went to this isolated spot on the mountain and waited. He did not hear the Lord in the wind. He did not hear the voice of the Lord in the earthquake. He did not hear it in the fire. But, when there was nothing; not another sound, Elijah heard the voice of God!  God spoke to Elijah giving him direction as to what he was to do next. He was to anoint Jehu as king over Israel and Elisha as prophet in his place.

How often do we wonder what exactly God's will is for me? How often do we wonder what it is that God would have me do? Where would he have me go? What would he have me say? If these questions often plague you, find a quiet place, a place with sheer silence and listen for the voice of God speaking to your heart and mind and soul.

The prophets of old found quiet isolated places to communicate with God. Jesus found quiet places to speak with and listen to our Father in heaven. It is most difficult to hear the voice of God when the noise around you is so loud that you cannot hear the whisper of God's voice. 

As children sometimes think that their parents are hollering at them when they are not yelling; but, are simply giving the same direction to them for the hundredth time; I admit that I, too, have ignored the voice and direction of God and when I finally accepted that it was God's will; it has felt like God has been hollering at me, as well. 

God still speaks to his people. Find an isolated place; shut off the noise, and listen. 

God's Peace - Pr. J