A Note from Hixon Frank
Hey Church!
I have always loved this story in the Old Testament because it is, and certainly was 2500 years ago when it was written, counterintuitive.
I Kings 19:11-3
11 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. 12 After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. 13 When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave.
A gentle whisper…. wait what?
God spoke creation into existence. God rained fire down and lapped up Elijah’s drenched offering, God sent a flood, God breathed life into mankind, God commands angels, God parts the sea, and God delivers people in mighty and magnificent ways… so why would God show up in a whisper instead of an earthquake, the wind, or fire?
One reason may be that he is CLOSE and does not need to speak above a whisper! Other people can be loud, our circumstances can be loud, the worries we fill our minds with can be loud, but God, because of his proximity to us only needs to whisper. (Matthew 4:17, Acts 17:24-28).
I love the way the New International Version (NIV) of the Bible translates Psalm 46:9-11.
“He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth.
He breaks the bow and shatters the spear, he burns the shields with fire.
10 He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”
11 The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.”
BE STILL? … be still … be. still.
A good friend recently reflected on his journey through cancer. While several of us knew in “real time” and were “walking with him” through it, in retrospect is inspiring and challenging!
His first radiation treatment was met with fear and trepidation as he was facing the unknown. The treatment included 15 minutes of being absolutely still and quiet. With only his thoughts to keep him company, he determined on the second day and the remainder of the treatments that he pray during the time he was forced to be still! Over the remaining 39 treatments he was still and quiet …. and prayed! He would share that he never got to the point that he looked forward to the radiation treatment, but he absolutely looked forward to the stillness that was demanded. The intimacy with God that he experienced drove comfort and peace like he had rarely experienced before. It was profound.
What if God is whispering to you about your job, your finances, your family, your purpose, your concerns, and your opportunities? Would you hear Him? Do you hear Him?
It may be time for us to get still, focus on Him alone, pray and “know that He is God.”
You are loved,
Hixon