When Ahab returned to Jezreel and told Jezebel what had happened on Mount Carmel, she flew into a rage and sent a messenger to Elijah, proclaiming him as dead as her prophets. Despite God’s recent demonstrations of power, Elijah fled in fear and headed toward another mountain — Mount Sinai.

The LORD’s voice is heard over the sea. The glorious God thunders; the LORD thunders over the ocean. The LORD’s voice is powerful; the LORD’s voice is majestic, the LORD’s voice makes the lightning flash, the LORD’s voice shakes the oaks, and strips the leaves off the trees. In his Temple everyone says, “Glory to God!” Psalm 29:3-9 The LORD said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by.” Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, hut the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. 1 Kings 19:11-12, NIV

    Here, long ago, God’s voice had thundered as he spoke to Moses, and the people had trembled. This time Elijah heard God, but not in the sound of the wind, the power of an earthquake, or the crackling of the fire. On this day Elijah heard God whisper.

    The all-powerful God gently asked Elijah why he was hiding in a cave. Elijah answered that he was the last faithful voice for God and he was hiding from those who wanted to kill him also. God assured Elijah that there were seven thousand people in the northern kingdom who were still faithful to God, that he was still in control of the nations, and that he had work for Elijah to do.

    After the encounter in the cave, Elijah began preparing a prophet named Elisha to take his place. One day while Elisha and Elijah were walking together, God sent a fiery chariot to pick up the prophet and to carry him home to heaven in a whirlwind. And Elisha inherited the position and power of his mentor.

Reflection: Down through history God has spoken to his people in many ways — through thunder, burning bushes, angelic messengers, prophets like Moses. Incredible as they are, it’s almost more amazing that God reduces his power to fit in a whisper, as he did with Elijah.

    You may hear a whisper while you’re reading or praying or worshiping. It may come when you’re driving or meditating or hiking. A question, a request, a challenge may tug at your heart. Listen for God’s voice, and when he whispers to your soul, don’t close your mind to the call.

Text copyright © 1997, Multnomah Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Title: "The Whispers of God"
Author: Ron Rose
Publication Date: June 5, 2001

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