Come Into The Word with Sarah Christmyer | Bible Study | Lectio Divina | Journals | Retreat

  • About
  • Blog
    • Scripture Reflection
    • Prayer & Lectio Divina
    • Bible Reading & Study
    • Holidays and Holy Days
    • Discipleship
    • Women of the Bible
  • Resources
    • New Release
    • Books & Journals
    • Bible Studies
    • How-tos & Reading Plans
  • Speaking
    • Speaking Topics
    • Schedule
    • Testimonials
    • Reviews & Interviews
    • Past Events
  • Contact

OUR GOD CARES: Listen for His Still, Small Voice

June 13, 2020 By Sarah Christmyer 4 Comments

Talk about final.

There was no voice. No one answered; no one paid attention. (I Kings 18:29, ESV.)

The prophets of Baal had been at it all morning and most of the afternoon, hopping around the altar, calling on their god, slashing and cutting themselves into a frenzy. They begged their god of lightning to send fire to light the sacrifice. But Baal, not being a real god at all but one they built with their hands, did nothing at all.

There was no voice. No one answered; no one paid attention.

It was the perfect setup, of course, for a dramatic display of Yahweh’s power. Answering Elijah’s prayer, God sent down a blast of fire that ate up the offering and altar, stones, and dust, and lapped up the water in the moat around it. “The Lord [Yahweh] is God!” the people cried. There was nothing else to say.

For there was no voice at all from Baal. No one answered; no one paid attention.

Elijah on Mt Carmel. Church of the Transfiguration, Mt Tabor, Israel. Photo by Sarah Christmyer.

Read the story here in 1 Kings 18

There may not have been much to fear from Baal, but Queen Jezebel was a formidable opponent. She put a price on Elijah’s head. He fled into the wilderness and prepared to die.

What happened next shows that the Lord is much more than a strongman (read it in chapter 19):

  • He sent an angel to feed and encourage and strengthen Elijah
  • He took the initiative to go to where Elijah was
  • He took a personal interest in Elijah’s emotional state, asking twice why he was there

God is nothing like Baal

I love the contrast between God and Baal! This story shows that the false gods of this world – the things we look to for security and strength – cannot hear us at all. We can spend our lives and our substance trying to get the attention of money and power, status and reputation, and so on: but they will not pay attention, or answer, or even speak.

However, our God is a God who loves us. He notices our plight, he reaches out to strengthen and help us, he pursues a relationship with us.

Go into the quiet to hear him

Notice that after helping Elijah to see that he was NOT in the wind, the earthquake, or the fire — three things the prophet might have hoped would take care of his nemesis — God spoke to him in “the sound of a low whisper” (ESV), “a still small voice” (RSV). Maybe he didn’t offer words of comfort as far as the surface meaning of the words went, but I expect what he said was an enormous assurance. He spoke a command that was full of promise. Elijah would do what God had him to do and he would not be alone. He could let go of his fear and let God work.

Take the Word to heart

  • Do you feel alone in your faith?
  • Is there something you fear?
  • Have you been looking for help from someone or something other than God?

Spend time today soaking in 1 Kings 18-19. There’s a lot more there than I’ve written about here! Find a quiet place to read, and ask him to speak. Then listen for the low whisper of God.

God bless you as you spend time in his Word!

 

© 2020 Sarah Christmyer

Filed Under: Scripture Reflection

Comments

  1. Annabelle says

    June 13, 2020 at 2:28 pm

    Your reflections are really inciteful and I think it will take a while before I can listen to the Word as you do.

  2. Sarah Christmyer says

    June 13, 2020 at 2:41 pm

    It all comes down to practice, Annabelle. Spend time regularly, whether you “get anything” out of it or not. And it will come! Think of it as getting to know someone. The more time you spend together, the more you get to know the person, the better you understand the nuances of what they say. And pray for the Lord’s help, because he wants to talk to you through his Word! May he bless all your efforts.

  3. Beneteta Kristina Raobati says

    January 10, 2021 at 8:34 pm

    Thank you Sarah, I always enjoy your reflections, and the more I read them the more I wish I get to know God quickly. Sometimes I think I heard His whisper but at times I question whether or not it was Him talking. Thanks again.

  4. Sarah Christmyer says

    January 11, 2021 at 9:22 am

    I pray he will make himself known to you! May his whispering voice cause you to strain more and more in his direction, drawing you close to him.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

 characters available

Sarah Christmyer writes and speaks about Scripture and the Catholic faith with the goal of helping people meet Jesus in his Word. “The Bible isn’t just a book about God or instructions for a good life; it’s a place to meet God and be changed by him,” she says. Her love of Scripture fuels her writing of Bible studies and related books; her teaching of Philadelphia seminarians; her speaking at conferences and retreats; and writing for blogs such as this one. “Come Into the Word” draws people into the Bible and encourages and equips them to explore it on their own.

Subscribe Here

Sign up to receive new posts and news via email. (Add sarah@comeintotheword.com to your address book to make sure mail arrives in your inbox!)

Search Come Into The Word

Categories

Recent Posts

  • TRUST IN GOD; HE’S GOT YOUR BACK
  • FINDING JOY AT CHRISTMAS
  • FOCUSING ON THE CHRIST CHILD with the O Antiphons
  • THANKSGIVING PSALMS: Drowning grief in gratitude
  • YOU CAN’T TAKE IT WITH YOU: How to fill your heavenly “handbag”
  • RETURNING TO GOD…AND PRAYERS FOR UKRAINE

Archives

Recommended

  • Integrated Catholic Life – Catholic blogs and resources
  • Lux App and Lux University – online faith hub for women
  • Peter Kreeft – featured writings and audio
  • The Sacred Page (Michael Barber, John Bergsma, Brant Pitre, John Kincaid) – blog
  • Scripture Speaks (Gayle Somers) – commentary on the Mass readings
  • Speaking of Scripture (Mary Healy, Daniel Keating, Peter Williamson, et al) – blog
  • Women in the New Evangelization (WINE) – women’s ministry, book club, blog

 

We engage in affiliate marketing whereby we receive funds through clicks to our affiliate program through this website. This disclosure is intended to comply with the US Federal Trade Commission Rules on marketing and advertising, as well as any other legal requirements which may apply.

 

Let’s Connect

mailfacebook instagram pinterest

Subscribe Here

Sign up to receive new posts and news via email. (Add sarah@comeintotheword.com to your address book to make sure mail arrives in your inbox!)

MENU

  • About
  • Blog
  • Resources
  • Speaking
  • Contact
  • Home

Copyright © 2023 Come into the Word LLC | Site designed by Cynthia Oswald

  • About
  • Blog
    △
    • Scripture Reflection
    • Prayer & Lectio Divina
    • Bible Reading & Study
    • Holidays and Holy Days
    • Discipleship
    • Women of the Bible
  • Resources
    △
    • New Release
    • Books & Journals
    • Bible Studies
    • How-tos & Reading Plans
  • Speaking
    △
    • Speaking Topics
    • Schedule
    • Testimonials
    • Reviews & Interviews
    • Past Events
  • Contact