1 Kings_19

Scripture

1 Kings 19:11-12

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.

Observation

The story of Elijah continues.  “How he was driven into banishment by the malice of Jezebel his sworn enemy (v. 1-3), how he was met, in his banishment, by the favour of God, his covenant-friend. How God fed him (v 4-8).  How he conversed with him, and manifested himself to him (v. 9, v 11-13), heard his complaint (v 10-14), directed him what to do (v 15-17) and encouraged him (v 18).  How his hands were strengthened, at his return out of banishment, by joining of Elisha with him (v 19-21).” [Excerpt from Matthew Henry’s Commentary of the Whole Bible – www.biblestudytools.com/commentaries/matthew-henry-complete/1-kings/19.html}

Understanding

What struck me about these verses is that 1) even when Elijah was banished in the earthly world, God met him with favor and 2) God doesn’t come always come in the ways that we think, hope or expect.  Big, powerful actions came – wind tearing mountains apart and shattering rocks, an earthquake, a fire…but God came in a whisper. 

That brings to mind two things…the first, I was recently encouraged that, while God doesn’t always move the way we think He will, OUR [only] part is obedience.  If God calls us, we respond in obedience.  That obedience may not bring the result we expect or want…but God’s movements are not always explicit, they’re not always obvious.  It may just be a seed being planted, or perhaps watered, for a crop that we will never personally see.  And the second thing is our homework from yesterday – to look for God in the ordinary.  His fingerprints are EVERYwhere.

Life Application

God, may I be bold in my obedience and consciously aware of your presence.  May I walk, speak, trust, move in a way that brings honor to you.

In Jesus name, Amen.

Rei

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