Still Small Voice

Devotional 2 Minutes

Do you ever search for direction from God? When I need his guidance, I would like to get some type of huge announcement or spectacular display so there’s no doubt what God wants me to do. Wouldn’t it be nice to hear an audible voice like that of Morgan Freeman, see an enormous billboard, or feel the heat of a burning bush? We watch and wait for an extraordinary sign that will announce His will, but God is often found not in the extraordinary, but in the ordinary.

In 1 Kings 19, Elija is in quite a mess after proving Baal was not the mighty god that many prophets claimed. His life has been threatened. He is feeling very alone and possibly sunk into a deep depression due to the circumstances. Elijah truly needed a sign from God.

Verses 11-12 say, “And behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice.”

When Elijah needed to hear God’s voice, there were massive events that Elijah probably assumed would lead to hearing from God. But even when God wasn’t in any of those moments, Elijah had enough faith to keep waiting. Eventually he heard not a loud booming voice, but instead, the still small voice of God.

When someone whispers, we have a tendency to pay closer attention. I know my eighth grade students all strain to hear every word if someone in the room is whispering. As I get older, I have discovered that I must focus even more to hear a whisper as I get older. If only we all strived that intently to hear God’s still small voice.

So why would God speak to us in such a quiet voice? Maybe His desire is simply that we draw near to Him. Stop looking for a huge announcement. Slow down, tune out all the distractions, and just focus on what He has to say. If we truly want to hear God’s voice, we need to purposely go to a quiet place and listen closely for that still small voice.

Published by Tresa Walker Strengthrenewed

Like Jonah, I have spent a good bit of time in the belly of the whale. I understand what made Jonah run from God’s plan for his life, but I have also learned the joy of obedience. No experience compares to the time I spent running from God calling me to write, but many blessings have followed since I yielded to His will. In 2 Corinthians 12:9 God says, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” God doesn’t expect us to be perfect, just willing! My days are filled with spending as much time as possible with my family, teaching middle school, playing piano for worship services, teaching a ladies’ Bible study, writing devotionals, and making homemade cinnamon rolls when I have the energy.

Published

2 thoughts on “Still Small Voice”

  1. Insightful observation, Tresa, about whispered statements. We DO tend to get SILENT so we can LISTEN. (“Love the interesting quirk that both words include the same letters!)

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