May 9, 2017 - THE STILL SMALL VOICE

Day 129 - 1 Kings 19-20 & John 2

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 ESV)

“Elijah found no comfort and no assurance in God’s power manifested in nature through the wind. Rather, when God’s Word came to instruct him in a quiet voice, then the prophet found truth and strength. What the Lord whispers is a mystery. Luther: ‘The Law is a hammer that crushes rocks, a fire, a wind, and a great and mighty earthquake that overturns mountains. When Elijah cold not bear the terrors of the Law that were signified in these events, he wrapped his head in his mantel, and after the storm was over, there came a still small voice, in which the Lord was present. But the storm and the earthquake had to come first, before the Lord Himself followed in the still small voice.’” (The Lutheran Study Bible, CPH 2009, page 571)

So, dear reader, when the storms of life engulf you, get ready to listen for the still small voice of God shortly after the storm is stilled. In fact, this is precisely why you attend church on a weekly basis. You come in from the tumult of the previous week and are met with the Word and the meal that God has prepared just for you.

God Himself is present:
Let us now adore Him
And with awe appear before Him.
God is in His temple;
All within keep silence;
Humbly kneel in deepest rev'rence.
He alone
On His throne
Is our God and Savior;
Praise His Name forever!
(Lutheran Service Book, CPH, 2006, #907, stanza 1)

Almighty God, thank You for coming to me in Your still small voice in weekly worship. Help me to listen to and heed Your guiding and saving voice.  Amen.

Pastor David Paape 

Daily Bible Reading Chart
http://www.wholesomewords.org/family/bibleread/truth.pdf