The Shout and the Whisper

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. 1 Kings 19: 12

Have you heard someone who is very angry say “I’m not shouting” while they are actually doing that! Shouting involves producing very loud sounds generating high-amplitude sound waves, while whispering involves producing quiet sounds. Therefore, the key differences are sound intensity or volume.

At mount Horeb. God spoke to Elijah.  First there was a great wind, an earthquake, and then a fire, before speaking to him through a low whisper. Elijah returned to Israel and anointed Elisha.  God's voice was not loud but a "still small voice" or a "gentle whisper". Prophet Elijah, learned that God often speaks in quiet ways, rather than in grand, loud displays of power. 

Today, the world is shouting, while so much is going on around us, but God is whispering! Mark 4:24 says: “Then he added, “Pay close attention to what you hear. The closer you listen, the more understanding you will be given and you will receive even more. This calls for good listening to hear right. As we align ourselves according to His Word in obedience, there is no limit! 

We should Identify the voices we are listening to other than the voice of God and step away from them to hear the only voice that matters most – God’s. Let’s take action to quieten those voices and make room for the voice of God such as spending too much time on social media on what is not important. We have His invitation to make wise choices to quiet ourselves before the Lord regarding those empty spaces in our lives that the world is shouting to us loudly to fill while the Lord is whispering to us to spend that time with Him to enrich us His way.

God our Creator, is indescribable. He can speak in any way He chooses, he is omnipotent (all powerful), infinite (unlimited). He calls us to listen carefully for the “whisper of God.  Our part is to walk in obedience as we hear His voice when He speaks.

Psalm 46 is a great reminder that says “The nations are in chaos, and their kingdoms crumble! God’s voice thunders and the earth melts!” God’s authority is far greater than any human power, and when God speaks, the very earth is shaken, causing even mighty empires to crumble.

Pray your response to the Lord personally, meaningfully and genuinely!

Meditate on:

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go”. Psalm 32: 8

“Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it”.  Isaiah 30:21