God reveals himself in ways that are sometimes very dramatic and sometimes less so. Elijah was familiar already with the more dramatic aspects of the
LORD's presence. He did indeed reveal himself through the fire that consumed Elijah's sacrifice, drenched though it was with water, obliterating even the stone altar on which it was placed (see First Kings 18). It was important that Elijah be willing to enter into dramatic circumstances like those. But it was also essential, perhaps more essential, for him to learn to hear the LORD in the stillness, to perceive his voice even when he was not shouting.
After the fire there was a tiny whispering sound.
When he heard this,
Elijah hid his face in his cloak
and went and stood at the entrance of the cave.
Those of who only perceive God in dramatic miracles or exultant worship we can learn to seek God even in the stillness. The more we can do this the greater will be the clarity with which the LORD can speak to us. From broad generalities of a shouting general leading his army we will also learn to hear the tender whispers of love and friendship.
It is typically difficult to find enough quiet in our lives to be still and listen. We often don't have much room for anything besides the most obvious and direct messages from God. Jesus wants to show us that even if the circumstances are loud and frightening we can still discover in him a place of peace and calm.
During the fourth watch of the night,
he came toward them walking on the sea.
When the disciples saw him walking on the sea they were terrified.
The disciples were terrified because of what seemed like an even more unknown and fearful element amidst an already fearful storm. Peter was the one who perceived that the figure on the water wasn't simply one more dramatic element in a storm of fear. He sensed that Jesus was the calm amidst the storm. He saw that he did not falter because of wind or waves. Peter intuited that it was not the boat that was the safest place to be. It was with Jesus.
Peter said to him in reply,
“Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.”
He said, “Come.”
For us too Jesus can be a point of stillness even when the storms still rage. He can give us stability even when we ourselves are buffeted by strong winds, with waves crashing upon us. The dramatic nature of what Jesus did was a revelation, to be sure. But it was only a complete revelation when the peace and the still at the heart of it were realized. Drama and storms are a part of how God shows himself to us. But it they are meant to guide us to the haven of his peace, the safety of resting with him.
After they got into the boat, the wind died down.
Those who were in the boat did him homage, saying,
“Truly, you are the Son of God.”
Paul certainly knew the dramatic aspects of the self-revelation of God. He was blinded and knocked to off of his feet by that revelation. But he also learned to listen, to listen so profoundly that the longings of God for his people became his own.
I speak the truth in Christ, I do not lie;
my conscience joins with the Holy Spirit in bearing me witness
that I have great sorrow and constant anguish in my heart.
Paul learned to be led by the Spirit, to hear him interceding when even words failed, crying out to his Father in heaven. This was not a given of his conversion experience, nor was it a consequence of an earthquake dramatically freeing him from prison. It was a consequence of discovering that God himself wanted to speak to him, and of his learning to listen even when things in his life seemed out of control. The miraculous was an important part of his ministry (as it is still meant to be for Christians in our day!) but it was in stillness and seeking the LORD that he was given orientation and the LORD made his will for him known.
I will hear what God proclaims;
the LORD — for he proclaims peace.
Near indeed is his salvation to those who fear him,
glory dwelling in our land.
After the fire there was a tiny whispering sound.
When he heard this,
Elijah hid his face in his cloak
and went and stood at the entrance of the cave.
Those of who only perceive God in dramatic miracles or exultant worship we can learn to seek God even in the stillness. The more we can do this the greater will be the clarity with which the LORD can speak to us. From broad generalities of a shouting general leading his army we will also learn to hear the tender whispers of love and friendship.
It is typically difficult to find enough quiet in our lives to be still and listen. We often don't have much room for anything besides the most obvious and direct messages from God. Jesus wants to show us that even if the circumstances are loud and frightening we can still discover in him a place of peace and calm.
During the fourth watch of the night,
he came toward them walking on the sea.
When the disciples saw him walking on the sea they were terrified.
The disciples were terrified because of what seemed like an even more unknown and fearful element amidst an already fearful storm. Peter was the one who perceived that the figure on the water wasn't simply one more dramatic element in a storm of fear. He sensed that Jesus was the calm amidst the storm. He saw that he did not falter because of wind or waves. Peter intuited that it was not the boat that was the safest place to be. It was with Jesus.
Peter said to him in reply,
“Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.”
He said, “Come.”
For us too Jesus can be a point of stillness even when the storms still rage. He can give us stability even when we ourselves are buffeted by strong winds, with waves crashing upon us. The dramatic nature of what Jesus did was a revelation, to be sure. But it was only a complete revelation when the peace and the still at the heart of it were realized. Drama and storms are a part of how God shows himself to us. But it they are meant to guide us to the haven of his peace, the safety of resting with him.
After they got into the boat, the wind died down.
Those who were in the boat did him homage, saying,
“Truly, you are the Son of God.”
Paul certainly knew the dramatic aspects of the self-revelation of God. He was blinded and knocked to off of his feet by that revelation. But he also learned to listen, to listen so profoundly that the longings of God for his people became his own.
I speak the truth in Christ, I do not lie;
my conscience joins with the Holy Spirit in bearing me witness
that I have great sorrow and constant anguish in my heart.
Paul learned to be led by the Spirit, to hear him interceding when even words failed, crying out to his Father in heaven. This was not a given of his conversion experience, nor was it a consequence of an earthquake dramatically freeing him from prison. It was a consequence of discovering that God himself wanted to speak to him, and of his learning to listen even when things in his life seemed out of control. The miraculous was an important part of his ministry (as it is still meant to be for Christians in our day!) but it was in stillness and seeking the LORD that he was given orientation and the LORD made his will for him known.
I will hear what God proclaims;
the LORD — for he proclaims peace.
Near indeed is his salvation to those who fear him,
glory dwelling in our land.
John B. Miller - Speak Lord I'm Listening
Matt Maher - The Heart of Worship
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