Are We Open to How God Reveals Himself?
“Answer me, O Lord, answer me, that this people may know that you, O Lord, are God, and that you have turned their hearts back.” Then the fire of the Lord fell and consumed the burnt offering and the wood and the stones and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench.” (1 Kings 18:37-38)
Elijah had just witnessed a miracle. He had asked the Lord to bring fire down from heaven to burn up the altar, and it happened (1 Kings 18:37-38).
But then queen Jezebel tried to have Elijah put to death. So he fled to the desert and faced intense depression.
After, God provided the nourishment Elijah needed and then revealed Himself to Elijah. Scripture reads:
“And he said, “Go out and stand on the mount before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper. And when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And behold, there came a voice to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
(1 Kings 19:11-13)
The Lord was not in the wind, the earthquake, or the fire. He was present in the low whisper.
Before, the Lord had revealed Himself through fire (1 Kings 18: 37-38), but this time it was in a whisper.
It may have looked different than Elijah had expected.
Sometimes, how God reveals Himself in our lives may look different than He did before. God knows what is essential for every season of life.
Of course, He reveals Himself clearly in the Bible. The written Word is our foundation for discerning truth. The Holy Spirit also guides us in truth throughout our lives (John 16:13), and the Lord may speak to our hearts in a variety of ways.
It could be while we are taking a nature walk, quietly contemplating the truth of God, or through the community with believers who share encouraging words and discuss the things of God. Or it could be through worship music, which glorifies God. All these ways ought to be tested by Scripture, but nevertheless, these are ways in which the Lord may choose to reveal Himself to us.
Sometimes there may be a more dramatic way God makes Himself known. Sometimes, we may need to listen for His still, small voice.
God knows what we need and when to give it.
We can trust that the mighty God who sends the fire will also speak to His children through a gentle whisper.
Are you open to hearing from Him in the way He chooses to reveal Himself, even if it is different than how you expected?
Blessings,
