Can You Hear the Whisper

Elijah was a prophet of God, a man of faith and courage.  Yet, Elijah experienced discouragement, and fear.  
 
Jezebel sent a message to Elijah telling him she was going to kill him.  Elijah was afraid and ran for his life.  He left his servant in Beersheba and went on alone into the wilderness traveling all day.  He sat under a broom tree and prayed that he might die.  Then he lay down and slept under the broom tree.  But as he was sleeping, an angel touched him and told him, “Get up and eat!”  He looked around and there beside his head was some bread baked on hot stones and a jar of water!  So, he ate and drank and lay down again.  Then the angel of the Lord came again and touched him and said “get up and eat some more, or the journey ahead will be too much for you.”  So, he got up and ate and drank and the food gave him enough strength to travel forty days and forty nights to Mount Sinai.  There he came to a cave where he spent the night.  But the Lord asked him, “What are you doing here Elijah?  Go and stand before me on the mountain.”  And as Elijah stood there, the Lord passed by, and a mighty windstorm hit the mountain. But the Lord was not in the wind.  After the wind, there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake.  And after earthquake there was a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire.  And after the fire there was the sound of a gentle whisper.  When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave.  And the Lord asked him again, “What are you doing here Elijah?” Then the Lord told him, “Go back the same way you came, and travel to the wilderness of Damascus.”  1 Kings 18-19 

God knew where Elijah was going and why he was going, God even made sure that he was provided for with strength for the journey he was about to embark upon.  Because Elijah was overcome with fear, he spent over eighty days traveling.  It wasn’t until Elijah just stood in the presence of the Lord that he could clearly hear the voice of God in a whisper.

How many times have we allowed fear to rule our life?  The decisions we make, where we go, what we do, what we say, even who we associate with.  I just wonder how much of God’s blessings for our lives are put on hold or even prevented because of fear? 

For many the wilderness was and is a place of testing, and renewal. A time for God to build his character in us.  Fear can cause us to react in all sorts of ways, but whatever the pathway we may take, our gracious loving father is faithful to supply every need for the journey. But it is not until we stop to listen for that still small voice in the wilderness place that we can hear him say; “Go back the way you came, I’ve got this.”

Do not Fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.  Isaiah 41:10