“He went into a cave there and spent the night. Suddenly the Lord’s message came to him, ‘Why are you here, Elijah?’ He answered, ‘I have been absolutely loyal to the Lord God of Heaven’s Armies, even though the Israelites have abandoned the covenant they made with you, torn down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. I alone am left and now they want to take my life.’ The Lord said, ‘Go out and stand on the mountain before the Lord. Look, the Lord is ready to pass by.’” –1 Kings 19:9-11a, NET
The prophet Elijah was hot off a miraculous showdown and thorough victory over the prophets of Baal (1Ki 18:25-40), concluded by a power infused prayer that ended a three-year drought (1Ki 18:41,45; Jam 5:18), and a divinely equipped sprint to outrun the chariots of Ahab back to Jezreel (1Ki 18:44,46; perhaps about 30 miles). However, after a threat from Queen Jezebel, Elijah has now left his ministry, fearful and depressed (1Ki 19:3-4). But the LORD awakens him from sleep and empowers him for a divine journey to “the mountain of God” (1Ki 19:5-8). And there Elijah hears, “Go out and stand on the mountain before the LORD, the LORD is ready to pass by.”
And so Elijah does. First, “a powerful wind” sweeps over the mountain, so strong it “shatters rocks,”—"but the LORD was not in the wind” (1Ki 19:11b). Then an earthquake comes, followed by a great fire—“but the LORD was not in” either of these (1Ki 19:11c-12a). So where do we finally find the LORD? “A soft whisper”—“a voice” (1Ki 19:12c-13)—the WORD.
And there Elijah goes out in obedience, where he “covered his face” (1Ki 19:13) (remember Moses) and stands in faith to hear from the LORD and experience His presence. God’s presence is not in the miraculous dramatics. God’s presence is in the soft voice, the whispered word which proclaims His sovereign name and holy character.
Do not remain in the lonely cave, looking for God in the earthquake and fire. Meet with Him by opening up His Word today in faith and listening for His soft voice to pass you by.
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