The Gentle Whisper of God’s Voice 

Marilyn Appleby 

One of our readings today is from 1 Kings 19. The verses relate a well known event where Elijah was fleeing for his life from Jezebel. Being very depressed with his situation he prayed that he would die.

However, God had different plans for Elijah and He sent angels to minister to him.

Then the word of the Lord came to Elijah: ‘What are you doing here Elijah?’ Elijah explained that all the prophets had been killed and that he was the only one left. The Lord said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.”

So Elijah went to the mountain and waited for the Lord to pass by. First came a violent wind, then an earthquake, then fire — but God was not in any of those things. Then came a gentle whisper — God was in that gentle whisper and Elijah obeyed God’s command to go back the way he
had come.

Sometimes we expect God to manifest himself in spectacular ways — but actually he more often than not reveals himself to us in the quiet, contemplative moments of our lives. Sadly though, because we live amidst such a cacophony of noise throughout our day, it is easy to miss His voice.

Maybe we need to more aware of God’s quiet whisper.