June 9, 2021
“He replied, ‘I have been very zealous for the Lord God of Armies, but the Israelites have abandoned your covenant, torn down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. I alone am left, and they are looking for me to take my life.’ Then he said, ‘Go out and stand on the mountain in the Lord’s presence.’ At that moment, the Lord passed by. A great and mighty wind was tearing at the mountains and was shattering cliffs 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 there was a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire there was a voice, a soft whisper.” – 1 Kings 19:10-12
Do you ever feel like your life is chaos? It feels like things are falling apart, there is so much noise you can’t hear yourself think, and it’s all out of control. When we are in the midst of these times it is easy to feel like we are completely outside of God’s will. It is easy to feel like we are far away from the place God wants us to be. If we have been living in disobedience to him, this might possibly be exactly what’s happening. But what about the times when we have been earnestly seeking him? What about the times when we have truly desired to do God’s will but we still we find ourselves in the chaos?
During the most difficult time in Elijah’s life, God called him up on a mountain top. Elijah was in the midst of chaos. He had been speaking God’s word into a dark situation and now people were trying to kill him because of it. So, we would expect a nice peaceful retreat… but when God calls him up on that mountain top all he sees is even more chaos! – a mighty wind, earthquakes, and fire. Through it all, God does not speak. However, on the other side of the chaos there is a whisper…a still small voice. God then begins to instruct Elijah. He does not tell him everything is easy from now on, but he does tell him that he is still within God’s will, and he still has a mission.
If you have found yourself in the midst of chaos, it might possibly be that God is trying to get your attention. He has something he would like to softly and tenderly speak to you, but you may not be ready to hear it. So, cry out to him in the chaos. Ask him to speak. Ask him to keep you pointed in the direction he desires for your life. He is there. He is still the source of peace. He still has the words we need to hear. We just need to remain attentive through the chaos.
Mighty God and Loving Father. Speak through the chaos. Cut though the noise. Prepare our hearts for Your words and then whisper Your will when we are ready.
In Christ’s Service,
Pastor Shane Cannon