A GENTLE WHISPER
As a child, my mother rarely raised her voice. When my sister or I upset her, she intentionally spoke softly, on the level of a whisper. At that moment, we gave her our undivided attention, because if we failed to pay heed, the consequences that followed would be less than pleasant. Like the old E.F. Hutton commercials, when mom spoke, we listened.
God also spoke to Elijah in a whisper, as he faced deep depression . God told him, “Stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by” (1 Kings 19:11). A violent wind came and tore the mountains apart, followed by an earthquake, and then a fire. But God was not to be found in any of those phenomena. Then Elijah heard a gentle whisper, and that’s where he discovered God’s presence (verses 12-13). Elijah was familiar with the God of the wind, earthquake and fire. That’s the kind of fiery prophet he was. But a gentle whisper was probably a new experience for him.
Sometimes God speaks to us in a whisper. How well are we listening for his still small voice? Jesus said, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” (John 10:27, NKJV). Just as I strained to hear my mother’s voice, so we must slow down, quiet our hearts and expect to hear a word from our Shepherd.
When Linda was first diagnosed, I began hearing the Lord’s voice more than ever. Sometimes in words; but more often than not, a sensation, a peaceful presence, or simply a “knowing,” in which I sense his will. I can’t describe how comforting his voice has been to me.
If you’re not hearing from God, try this. Find a quiet place and calm your heart. Speak to the Lord, “Jesus you’re my shepherd, and I’m your sheep, what do you want to say to me?” If what you hear is not in harmony with his word, then it’s not God’s voice. If it is, then consider it.
Our world today continually bombards us with noise—music, podcasts, movies, constant chatter. No wonder we can’t hear God’s voice. You can’t hear a whisper, when someone’s shouting in your ear. I’m confident God is constantly speaking to us. We simply need to unplug—perhaps literally. Then slow down and listen for his gentle whisper.
Principle: We need to slow down and listen for God’s gentle whisper to our hearts.
Ponder:
Can you think of a time when God spoke words of comfort to your heart?
How committed are you to taking the time to pause and listen for God’s still small voice?
Pursue: For a deeper dive, study 1 Kings 19:9-18.
Prayer: Loving Shepherd, more than any other sound, I long to hear your voice. Please help me remove the distractions around me, so I can hear you speak to me.
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My new book, The Perfect Gift, a Christmas devotional, published by Our Daily Bread is being released October 1.