It seems it always goes that way. I get a five minute window to sit down, think, write, read or pray, and my time is interrupted by noise. I often ask myself how it is that, as a writer, I have been challenged by such irony.
In my moments stolen away, captured in the quiet of morning, in an afternoon breeze, or when the house is settled for the night, I listen.
1 Kings 19: 11 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, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. 12 After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. 13 When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave.
Then a voice said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
Sometimes, we think we’re waiting on the voice of the Lord, all the while running about, living our busy lives, and He’s waiting on US. We wonder why we can’t hear Him or why He doesn’t answer. How can we expect to hear Him unless we listen for His gentle whisper?
The voice of the LORD is powerful;
the voice of the LORD is majestic. Psalm 29:4
And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice. 1 Kings 19:12 (KJV)
How is it that the voice of the Lord is powerful and majestic, yet still and small?
He determines the number of the stars
and calls them each by name.
Great is our Lord and mighty in power;
his understanding has no limit. Psalm 147:4,5
Teach me, and I will be quiet;
show me where I have been wrong. Job 6:24
The same God who placed the planets and stars in orbit teaches me, quiets me. How do these two scriptures (above) demonstrate that He is the God of order and peace? In what areas of my life do I need to be “quiet” and allow God to teach me?
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters. Psalm 23:2
But I have stilled and quieted my soul;
like a weaned child with its mother,
like a weaned child is my soul within me. Psalm 131:2
How do these scriptures suggest that quietness is a result of finding and being led of God? What does Psalm 131:2 have to do with the following verse?
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled. Matthew 5:6
The LORD came and stood there, calling as at the other times, “Samuel! Samuel!”
Then Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant is listening.” 1 Samuel 3:10
Prayer
God, even in the noise, the chatter and the interruptions, help me to hear You. And help me choose to find the moments, the quiet time. Help me to turn off my addiction to noise: my t.v., my computer, my phone, my news, and help me get alone with you. Lead me to the quiet place where you can teach me and correct me. Help me to still and quiet my soul, to be so passionate about seeking you and finding you, that I go out and stand on the mountain and wait for You. Though wind, earthquakes and fire may come, I will wait on your still, small voice. Help me to hear you, to recognize your voice, and to answer you as Samuel did, saying, “speak, Lord, for you servant is listening.”
