[Dailydevo] E-Devotions Thursday August 2, 2007

[Barry Ludwig]

E-Devotions for Thursday August 2, 2007

This week, we will explore Biblically our five senses; touch, taste, smell,
hearing, and seeing. (Pastor Ludwig)

 

1 Kings19:11-13

And he said, "Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the LORD." And
behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind rent 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 a still small voice. And when Eli'jah heard it, he
wrapped his face in his mantle 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, Eli'jah?"   

 

Hearing

After taking a call to be pastor of a congregation in Ohio, my oldest
daughter asked me if God told me we should move there. I answered
affirmatively. With wide eyes she whispered, "Did you hear God's voice [with
your ears]?"

"No," I replied, "I heard him in my heart."  She seemed to me to be
unconvinced and even a bit disappointed.

 

How do you hear the voice of our Lord in your life?  Do you seek big
pyrotechnic responses?  Loud and obvious intrusions in your life? Perhaps
you are looking for a miracle as God's word of response to your prayer
requests? 

Elijah expected to hear God speak in the thunderstorms on Mount Horeb, but
our God always surprises us and breaks our stereotype-expectations. We are
told that God was not speaking in the fire and thunder. That is the working
of natural forces (so much for the televangelists who say that God is trying
to tell us something through hurricanes and tsunamis).

 

No, instead God comes to Elijah in a "still, small voice." Elijah has run
away from the pressures of life and is hiding on a mountain. God does not
express God's will through loud intimidation, Elijah has already had enough
of that; but in quiet, assuring, and unassuming expressions of deep love.
God comes to us in the soft sounds of a baby born in Bethlehem. God comes to
us in a gracious healing Savior who tells us to "rise, take up our beds and
walk for our sins are forgiven." God comes gently and graciously.

 

Today, listen for God in the soft and quiet moments.

 

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