He Whispers

My heart is hurting this morning for some dear friends of mine that are going through some very difficult circumstances.  It's one of those times when we just cannot trace God's Hand.

This morning as I was praying for their family, God reminded me of this scripture:

There he came to a cave, where he spent the night.  But the Lord said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”  Elijah replied, “I have zealously served the Lord God Almighty. But the people of Israel have broken their covenant with you, torn down your altars, and killed every one of your prophets. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me, too.”  “Go out and stand before me on the mountain,” the Lord told him. And as Elijah stood there, the Lord passed by, and a mighty windstorm hit the mountain. It was such a terrible blast that the rocks were torn loose, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake there was a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire there was the sound of a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave.  And a voice said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”  (1 Kings 19:9-13)

God reminded me that in the midst of life's storms we often focus on the storm.  Our family being shaken to its core, our finances bottoming out in a deep pit, sudden layoffs, sudden deaths, long illnesses, separation, divorce, prodigal children.  We look hard and long at the storm and its devastation.   Sometimes crying out to God for relief of the storm...sometimes crying out our "WHY????" to Him. 

BUT GOD.

"Find a quiet place, focus on Me, draw close and I will comfort you.  I will give you the wisdom, the direction and the assurances to take your through this storm.  Sometimes I quiet the storm, sometimes I quiet the child.  In either situation, I'm always there," He said.

And I asked, "But why do we need to draw close to hear Your voice?  Can't You speak ABOVE the noise of the winds, the earthquakes and the fires of our lives?"  

He gently whispered, "I can."  But He immediately gave this beautiful example of why He wants us to draw near.  Imagine a small child frightened during a torrential storm in the dark of night. Electricity is flashing off and on, the rain is pounding against the roof, hail crashing against the windows, lightening so bright it seems as though it's day and the thunder is deafening.  The child may cry out in fear or come running to find mom (or dad).  Does a mother (or father) comfort that child by yelling above the noise?  No....she gently whispers...holding her little one tightly to her heart, reassuring the child that the storm will pass.  

It is that gentle whisper brings comfort.  We can only hear those whispers when we are near to the One that speaks them.

Are you in a storm today?  Is the earth shaking, the wind fierce and the fire hotter than you imagined? Draw near to Him today and let His still small voice gently whisper how He loves you.