There [Elijah] went into a cave and spent the night. And the word of the LORD came to him: “What are you doing here, Elijah?”… The LORD said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by.” Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. ~ 1 Kings 19:9,11-12
As the prophet Elijah cowered in a cave, he contemplated his bleak situation. The outward circumstances overwhelmed his thoughts. He was deeply saddened by the apparent lack of success in his work. His toil appeared to bring only more trouble for himself and for others. Because of the present situation, he despaired of any hope for the future.
In the midst of Elijah’s multiplying worries, the Almighty came with his word to comfort his perplexed prophet. Through the gentle whisper of his word, the Lord lifted Elijah from his gloom and unfolded his divine plan with encouraging promises that would fill Elijah with faith for the future.
Are there days when we would rather hide in a cave than hold on to any hope?
The outward circumstances of our personal lives can be very disquieting. The stress of work and the strain of family problems can leave us shaken and distraught. We may begin to question whether there will ever be an end to our anguish. Our search for answers leaves us feeling despondent and desperate for relief.
The Lord lovingly speaks to us with the gentle whisper of his gospel. He offers us answers that are not centered upon our often-misguided feelings and mistaken perceptions of our situation. Rather, he offers certain help through the rock-solid hope of his unbroken promises.
Through the gentle whisper of his word, God offers rescue and relief through his Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus dispels the darkness of our despair with the convincing proof of his love.
Jesus, the source of all truth, tells me that he is with me when I feel I am alone. The Savior reminds me he is my refuge even when my worldly troubles overwhelm me and the devil seeks to swamp my faith in a sea of despair. The Lord overcomes my doubt and despair with his persistent promise of forgiveness for all my sins.
The gentle whisper of the word renews my strength with the profound pledge of a bright future. For God assures me that I now have new life through his Son and the promise of eternal life with him in heaven.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for the comfort you offer for every trouble, and the confidence you instill for every day. Amen.
Living Hope Church 