Jul
30
Missing the Whisper
Filed Under Devotional
We’ve recently attended a few concerts at our church. I’m at the age where I still like the music, but I want to sit more than stand. Still, I’m always amazed at how my ears get used to the loud music and having to yell to talk to the person next to you. Afterwards, as we’re walking back to the car, I notice that I’m still a little deaf. We still have to speak loudly to communicate and I can’t pick up the nuance of the sounds around me anymore. I’m reminded of how easy it is to unintentionally block out the whispers. Of course, that can be very bad if someone important is trying to whisper to you.
I really like the imagery of the story of God passing by Elijah on the mountain:
“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 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. 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
Of course, the whisper was from God.
I can get caught up in the loud, bold declarations of God’s power and love (like those concerts). I can get emotionally loud by arguing about whether Jesus was real or what Heaven will be like. But, the real power of God is in the whispers. It’s taken me years to realize that the real power Jesus showed wasn’t in the casting out of demons or the raising of the dead. The greatest power was when Jesus says, “Your sins are forgiven.” He never yelled that. He always said it as a way to comfort or care for the hurting. I imagine He has a strong, but gentle voice at those times. Nothing you would have heard through a wind that shatters rock or and earthquake that brings down buildings.
No, God’s real power is in the quiet moments when He heals lives, cures bodies, and forgives sin. Don’t flood yourself with the loud things such that you’re going a little deaf. If you do, you’re missing the best part.
You’ll miss His whisper.