january
18, 2003
"After the earthquake
a fire came, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after
the fire came a gentle whisper."
1 Kings 19:12
by jason sato
If you didn't already know 1 Kings 19:12 was
my favorite Bible verse. I suppose it still is but I reflect
upon it less often than I used to. I need to more. I spent
quite a long time trying to come up with an incredibly insightful
and inspirational interpretation of the aforementioned Bible
verse. There are many things that I could say about the verse
but honestly, the reason that I love this verse so much is
really quite simple.
But first some background information
would be useful. The prophet Elijah has fled to the mountains
after his life is threatened. He then fasts for 40 days. God
then instructs Elijah "to stand on the mountain in
the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is to pass by"
(1 Kings 19:11). Then, God shows His power and majesty in
a powerful wind, an earthquake, and a great fire. However,
after each of these events, the Word states "but the
Lord was not in..." Only after the gentle whisper does
it not make this statement, implying that the Lord was in
the gentle whisper and not these other phenomenon.
This verse draws us back
to the wonder of God Himself. Beyond
loud music, emotionally challenging storytelling, spiritual
gifts, and big events is that whisper; that beautiful and
sweet love and hope that the world cannot understand nor see.
Entertainment and activity is what the world wants. We have
something much greater in Christ Jesus. The benefits of being
a child of God that really matter are not visible or material.
My strength and joy is from the gentle whisper of God into
my ear of love, forgiveness, and acceptance.
Let us walk by faith not by sight. For by
faith we know God. For the whisper is all that matters in
the end.
The lesson is so simple yet oddly difficult
to understand.
Seek God.
That is all. Not His gifts, not how He can
help you, not His miracles, not the feelings, not the peace,
not the joy, not the victory, not the noise, not anything....just
God
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