S) "11 So He said, 'Go forth and stand on the mountain before the Lord.' And behold, the Lord was passing by! And a great and strong wind was rending the mountains and breaking 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. 12 After the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a sound of a gentle blowing. 13 When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood in the entrance of the cave. And behold, a voice came to him and said, 'What are you doing here, Elijah?'"
1 Kings 19:11-13 (NASB)
*because there are already entries for each of these chapters, I also read 1 Kings 19
*because there are already entries for each of these chapters, I also read 1 Kings 19
O) Elijah was told to go, told that he would have an encounter with God. Even so, there was patience and searching. He had to wait through gale force winds, an earthquake, and a fire. Through all of that storm, all of that scary, undeniable, dangerous force, Elijah stayed and waited. Finally, he heard the gentle blowing, the whisper, the still small voice. When he heard it, he gathered himself, preparing to go before his God.
A) There are plenty of metaphors to follow with this story. While the storms of life rage, it's easy to wonder with frustration, where God is. I certainly must be patient through those times, waiting upon my Lord. Still, there is a direct application, to remember that God reveals Himself as He wills to do so, not as I expect Him to do so. What is more important than me trying to figure out when or where God will reveal Himself, is that I must be ready to move when I do hear that gentle blowing. When God does reveal His will, when He is calling me, I must be prepared to move. His nature is sometimes fierce, sometimes gentle. Sometimes His will is obvious, sometimes it is unsearchable. His sovereignty over my life, however, is always the same. Jesus is my King, I am His subject. God is my Creator, I am His creation. He speaks, I obey. This is the nature of my relationship with Him, and how I understand His nature with me.
P) Father, Your power and might are beyond my comprehension. Even so, I confess that I have trouble fearing You as I ought. Whether You reveal Yourself gently or fiercely, with small quietness or great roaring, I want to choose reverence and submission to You at all times. Help me be patient in my prayers and requests, as I await Your move upon my life. Help me to seek You for who You are, and not only what You do. Lead me, speak to me, by the Holy Spirit upon me, and let me always defer to the authority and certainty of holy Scripture. Give me the discipline to bear all things for the sake of just a momentary encounter with Your presence, manifested to me. God, You are truly awesome, no matter how I am allowed to behold You. Let Your will be done. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.
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