Daily devotional · May 20
The Quiet Voice
“There Elijah entered a cave and spent the night. And the word of the LORD came to him, saying, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” “I have been very zealous for the LORD, the God of Hosts,” he replied, “but the Israelites have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I am the only one left, and they are seeking my life as well.” Then the LORD said, “Go out and stand on the mountain before the LORD. Behold, the LORD is about to pass by.” And a great and mighty wind tore into the mountains 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 there was a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a still, small voice. When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. Suddenly a voice came to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?””
Elijah had just seen God's power on Mount Carmel, and now he was running for his life, exhausted and convinced he was alone. On the mountain God passed by: a great wind, an earthquake, a fire. But the Lord was not in any of them. After the fire came a gentle whisper, and that is where Elijah met him. God does at times speak in spectacular ways, but this scene teaches us not to expect only the loud ones. Elijah's story also shows that burnout and discouragement happen even to strong servants of God. God met him with rest, food and a listening ear before giving new work. Today, create a small pocket of quiet, five minutes without input. If you are drained, do not skip eating, sleeping or talking to a trusted friend. Then listen for the whisper.
Prayer
God, speak to me in the quiet. Restore my strength and help me listen for your gentle voice.