The Gentle Whisper

I was recently at a church where both the morning and evening services were about listening to God. We experienced Holy Spirit worship, exalting Jesus and centred on the cross, and times of complete silence and stillness, with expectation that we would hear the gentle whisper speaking what God wanted us to hear. It was awesome, because the very presence of the Lord was there. I believe that listening is the most important aspect of prayer, because we are then enabled to pray what is on the heart of God.

Preceding the words of today’s text, the word of the Lord came to Elijah and asked him, “What are you doing here, Elijah.” Elijah, overcome by fear and terror at the threats of Queen Jezebel, was running for his life. Hiding in a cave, he must have been terrified when he heard the powerful wind, the earthquake and the fire, but, when he heard the gentle whisper, he went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. He knew he was not alone. He was safe. The great and mighty God he worshipped was with him.

Elijah had no control over the powerful wind, the earthquake, or the fire. Like the gentle whisper, they were supernatural events. There are events in our lives, from time to time, which overtake and even overcome us. They seem like shattering blows over which we have no control. Sometimes they are so devastating that we don’t hear the gentle whisper which comes from the heart of God to bring peace and healing to our wounded souls.

Have you ever thought that, to hear the gentle whisper, God speaking directly to us, we must ‘spend much time in secret, with Jesus alone?’ We are more dearly loved than we can ever know, and, in the quiet place, we sense His soothing presence enfolding us in His arms of love. He cares for us so deeply that He gave His life for us. That is immeasurable love. When the Holy Spirit reveals to us the depth and power of His love, we are never the same again. Jesus is our comforter in sorrow, sadness, and despair.  He never leaves us, even if we turn from Him. Jesus is a mighty, mighty Saviour, and also a caring, gentle friend. He is intimate, not distant, and longs for an intimate relationship with each one of us. He doesn’t demand it. He simply asks us to completely surrender everything to Him.

I close with some words which have given me confidence to trust in the All-Knowing-One when I have been in the centre of events which have overtaken me: ‘Be still, my soul, your God doth undertake to guide the future as He has the past. Your hope, your confidence let nothing shake. All now mysterious shall be bright at last.’ (Verse from a hymn ‘Be Still My Soul’ by Jane Borthwick).