WATCHWORD:
Then the word of God came to him: “So Elijah, what are you doing here?” 10 “I’ve been working my heart out for the God-of-the-Angel-Armies,” said Elijah. “The people of Israel have abandoned your covenant, destroyed the places of worship, and murdered your prophets. I’m the only one left, and now they’re trying to kill me.” 11-12 Then he was told, “Go, stand on the mountain at attention before God. God will pass by.” A hurricane wind ripped through the mountains and shattered the rocks before God, but God wasn’t to be found in the wind; after the wind an earthquake, but God wasn’t in the earthquake; and after the earthquake fire, but God wasn’t in the fire; and after the fire a gentle and quiet whisper.13-14 When Elijah heard the quiet voice, he muffled his face with his great cloak, went to the mouth of the cave, and stood there. A quiet voice asked, “So Elijah, now tell me, what are you doing here?”. 1 Kings 19:8-13
Meditation:
The Voice of God
What does the voice of God sound like? Have you heard it? How do you hear it? Under what circumstances? Did the voice seem familiar? Had you heard it before? Can you sort out God’s voice from all the other voices that you hear? Was it a loud voice, or was it a small voice, even a whisper? Perhaps you thought it was just your conscience giving you trouble. Maybe, God used the voice of a loved one?
In 1 Kings 19:1-13 is the story of Elijah fleeing for his life because he was carrying out God’s instructions, and Ahab wants him dead. Now he is hiding in a cave and the Lord spoke to him: “What are you doing here Elijah?” Elijah tells God that he has carried out God’s instructions, but now he wants to die, it has been too much.
God tells him: “Go out and stand before the mountain.” Elijah goes to the entrance to the cave and stands there, and after all the chaos had calmed, there was the sound of a gentle whisper: The voice of God, telling him to go back the way he came, something that Elijah did not want to do!
Yet, with fear and trembling, Elijah obeyed the voice of God. He had his marching orders, where he was to go and what he was to do.
How many of us have gone into this period of isolation and limited freedom willingly, even joyfully? I venture to say that not many could say that. How do you expect God to speak to you? What form does God’s voice take? Does He indeed speak to you in those circumstances of your life? In the beauty of a remembered moment, the smile of a child, the comfort of a friend? Or that voice at the end of the phone line asking ‘How’re ya doin’? Just checkin’ on ya’.
Another question might be: How many of us heard the Voice of God at the start of this virus? But, now, can you hear Him? Can you see His face there, in FaceTime, in Zoom, or through the window, or from a safe distance? Can you hear His voice saying “I love you”, sounding just like your kids, grandkids, friends, lover?
Make no mistake about it, God speaks to us and our part is not to limit Him. God speaks to us through difficult circumstances and blissful moments. He speaks to us through children, loved ones, the setting sun, the snow-covered mountains, the remembered moments of our lives.
In this isolation, His voice comes through loud and clear. Can you hear him? Listen. There. Did you hear that? You say that sounded like a laugh down the hall? Yes. That’s our Lord at work. The chatter of those happy birds outside or in the atrium, that’s Him, at work, talking to you, telling you of His love. Someone is singing, somewhere, hear that? Yep, again, that’s our Lord at work.
The Voice of God all around us. We need ears that hear. A heart that weeps for joy. Eyes that glisten with gladness. We need a special kind of listening. There is a Hebrew word that fits: Shema. Careful listening that stirs our hearts and moves, moves us to be the Voice of God to others. The phone is ringing. That will be God calling, or perhaps Jesus, just saying, ‘I love you’.
Bulletin Board:
From Chuck — From the last book of Matthew very last verse. ‘Surely, I am with you always until the end of the age.’ There is an Irish saying that I wish for all of us: Today, I wish you a day of ordinary miracles!! Everyone be safe today and always.
An original poem from Mac McKinley, our Poet Laureate:
The Argument Hat
Most of the time my wife and me, why we’re as happy as can be.
But now and then we will have a little spat; that’s when one or the other will go get the argument hat.
Now when you wear it you look pretty silly, because it really is a dilly.
The rules say when you’re wearing it, you must argue the other person’s point of view.
Back and forth that hat will pass until there’s only one thing you both must do.
Face each other and give a great big hug and both say; “I Love You.”
So in your life if you and your spouse have an occasional spat,
just take our advice, and go out and buy an argument hat.
–Mac
Today’s Funny – You didn’t know they had automobiles in Jesus’ time? Well, the Bible says that the disciples were all in one Accord. Is that a clown-car joke? GM didn’t work in those days!
Song for the Day:
You’ll Never Walk Alone
When you walk through a storm
Hold your head up high
And don’t be afraid of the dark.
At the end of the storm
Is a golden sky
And the sweet silver song of a lark
Walk on through the wind,
Walk on through the rain,
Tho’ your dreams be tossed and blown.
Walk on, walk onv
With hope in your heart
And you’ll never walk alone.
Closing Prayer:
Dear God, we’re in need of your peace and truth to soothe our hearts and spirits right now. When we find, ourselves awake in the middle of the night, our pressing needs and worries can feel overwhelming. We need to be reminded of your constant love, healing, and grace. Thank you that you have set us free and that you are bigger than anything we face in this life. We lay our burdens before you, every single one, for we know they’re much safer in your hands than our own. We ask for your Mighty Power to surround us and grant us calmness and peace. Amen.
