the still, small voice

Yesterday we got some discouraging news. News that will alter our future.

My first inclination was to slump my shoulders and admit defeat.

But just over an hour later, the Lord brought a passage of Scripture to mind.

It was the encounter that Elijah had with the Lord as described in 1 Kings 19:


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.

After the earthquake came a fire...

.. but the LORD was not in the fire.

And after the fire came a gentle whisper.


I'm still not entirely sure why this specific passage was brought to mind, except perhaps to remind me that I often expect the Lord to act in certain ways, in obvious ways, in ways that suit my desires. And when He doesn't, it is easy to think that there must be some mistake, that He is still going to do something later on, if only I can be patient. But even in my struggle to be patient and to wait for something extravagant and clearly obvious, He is at work.

Even in the gentle whispers.