Elijah had to get in a place of quiet and stillness to hear from God. He had ran fearing for his life. King Ahab and his wife Jezebel threatened his life. He was frustrated, fearful, overwhelmed, and wanted to give up. He sat down and told God to just let him die.
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 blowing. When Elijah heard the sound , he wrapped his face in his mantle (cloak) and went out and stood in the entrance of the cave. And behold, a voice came to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
1 Kings 19:12-13 AMP
Elijah recognized the voice of God in that gentle quiet moment. Elijah poured out his fear and frustration to God. He told God he felt alone and forsaken. God listened and then responded with instruction to go. Elijah still had work to do. God still had plans for Elijah. He was to anoint Kings and the prophet to take his place as spiritual leader, Elisha. God also told him there were still seven thousand who had not bowed to Baal. He was not alone. He was encouraged. God was right there in the stillness and in the turmoil. God was still leading and had direction for him. God sustained him, fed him, and gave him time to rest. He also strengthened him to keep going and to stand firm. God prepared him.
In 1 Samuel chapter 2 and 3, Samuel had been given to God at the young age of five. I cannot imagine how a small boy must have felt being left at the temple to serve. I am sure Hannah explained it to him and comforted her little child as she promised to return yearly to see him. I wonder if he cried when she left. He probably wanted to make her proud, and did his best to help Eli. He knew his mother had given him to God. Samuel was just a small boy when God first spoke to him. In the quiet of night, Samuel heard the voice of God calling him. At first he thought it was Eli. But when Eli discerned that God was calling the boy, he directed him to listen. Samuel replied, "Speak, for your servant is listening." He learned to hear the voice of God in the quietness and stillness. God directed him, he learned his purpose. God prepared him.
During all the chaos of the last few months, several people have talked about realizing that their time had been so full, that important things had been left out. We were asked to stay home, and not go out. In this time, we have rediscovered the value of family and the value of our time. No longer hurrying and scurrying from work to business and place to place, we have maybe realized how much time we have wasted and given up for less valuable things. One of the most important has been spiritually, we have realized we need time with God.
I know that God can take bad situations and still turn them into a testimony. He took Elijah's hardest time and turned it for his good. He took a small boy who was learning to serve, and gave him purpose. He is doing the same now. He allowed Elijah to end up hiding in a cave to get him to a place where he could hear and listen. He gave him to rest and time to commune with God; a time of intimacy. He called Samuel in the quiet of night. I feel like this has been a similar time. God has taken a tough situation and has placed his people in a situation where they can have stillness and quiet. A time where they can hear and listen. He gave us an opportunity for intimacy with Him. God wants to prepare us.
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:28 KJV
Have we taken full advantage of this time of quiet and really listened for the voice of God? As we begin to return to our church buildings, our places of work, and eventually back into the fray of living in this world, we need to realize, that God gave us time to be rested and refreshed, a time to listen and hear His voice, and a time to receive instruction. Samuel and Elijah both received instruction and direction. There was purpose behind the quiet. There was strengthening and hope given for the future. Have we become prepared to face what is next?
We are going forward into a new phase of life, life after quarantine and COVID19. We are going to need that spiritual strength, purpose and hope that God has offered in this quiet time. He knows what tomorrow brings and he does not offer us these gifts of refreshing and strength without a purpose. I do not know what will happen over the next few months or years. I do know that God has given time to be restored and strengthened. We have had opportunity for intimacy with him. I pray I have taken full advantage so when I step out into the storm, I am strong enough to endure the fight, to stand strong in faith, to speak the Word of God. I want to know I have heard His voice speaking purpose and leading for me to move forward in His Kingdom work. I want to be prepared. If you haven't taken time to listen for His voice, I encourage you to find a place of quiet, begin to pray, tell God what is on your heart, then listen.
Be still and know I am God.
Psalms 46:10
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