The Still Small Voice of God

In a world that is often crowded with noise, we sometimes forget to tune into the still, small voice that calls us to greater depths of understanding. This is a journey through the story of Elijah, a prophet who learned to discern the voice of God amid the tumultuous and challenging circumstances of his life.

First, we begin with an encounter between a king, a queen, and a prophet.

The Voice of Jezebel

Ahab, the king, had reported to his wife, Jezebel, about everything Elijah had done, including how he had wiped out all the prophets with the sword (1 Kings 19:1-2). Jezebel was not pleased. She sent a messenger to Elijah, threatening him, “May the gods deal with me, be it ever so severely, if by this time tomorrow I do not make your life like that of one of them.”

Here, we see the voice of an antagonist, a voice that can incite fear and dismay. But remember, no matter who does what, our God is still on the throne.

The Voice of Elijah

In response to Jezebel’s threat, Elijah was distraught. He cried out to God, “I have had enough, Lord. Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors” (1 Kings 19:4-5). Then, he lay down under a bush and fell asleep.

In this moment, we hear Elijah’s voice echoing feelings of despair and self-pity. It serves as a reminder that, no matter what, we should never cultivate negativity within us. Instead, we should seek the Lord’s presence and His mountain of solace.

The Voice of an Angel

In the midst of Elijah’s despair, an angel appeared to him. The angel told Elijah, “Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you” (1 Kings 19:7-8).

The angel’s voice was one of comfort and reassurance. It reminds us that, no matter the circumstance, angels will be sent to revive us. If you lifted Him up in Carmel, God won’t forget you in your wilderness.

Elijah in the Cave

Elijah then found himself exposed to the elements – wind, earthquake, and fire.

There is an interpretation that says, we should not be carried away by the dramatics of things around us. The Lord was not in the wind, earthquake or fire.

Elijah might have taken shelter in a cleft rock, reminiscent of the rock where Moses hid. And who is this Rock that was cleft?  It’s the Lord Jesus. When we are in the cleft of the Rock, when we are in Christ we can hear the voice of God. Outside of the rock we are in a crisis.

The Still Small Voice

Then came the still small voice, the “qol demamah daqah” (1 Kings 19:12). This voice, barely louder than a whisper, is the voice that summoned the universe into being.

To hear this voice, one must quiet the cacophony of the world and listen intently. It’s a voice of calm amidst a storm, a voice that speaks of divine wisdom and guidance. This was the voice Elijah heard, the voice that would guide him through his journey.

In conclusion, the story of Elijah teaches us about the various voices we may encounter in our lives. Some voices may incite fear or self-pity, while others bring comfort and reassurance. Yet, amid these voices, there is a still, small voice that whispers divine wisdom. This voice, the voice of God, is always present, waiting for us to quiet our hearts and listen.

So, let us learn from Elijah’s journey to discern the voices around us and to tune into the divine whispers that guide us through life’s highs and lows. Remember that no matter what happens, our God is still on the throne, always ready to guide and comfort us through His still, small voice.