“After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper.”
1 Kings 19:11-12 (NIV)
Elijah, the prophet, was in a cave hiding out, depressed and waiting to die. Overwhelmed with fear and grief after Queen Jezebel killed all the prophets, he was now the only one left, and her assassins were out searching for him.
While hiding in the cave, Elijah was emotionally exhausted and prayed,
“I’ve had enough, Lord, take my life; I’m no better than my ancestors.” Then he fell asleep, but God sent an angel to wake him up twice, to force him to eat and drink, which shows us how much the Lord cares for our physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well being, by sending an angel to keep Elijah nourished.
Looking outside his cave, Elijah observed a powerful wind, followed by an earthquake and then a fire, but God did not speak through any of those forces of nature. Instead, He came to Elijah, speaking in a gentle whisper that swept over him like a comforting breeze. The whispering voice asked, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” He told God that all the prophets had been killed and he was the last one left. Then God told him to “Go back…”
God sent Elijah back to the chaotic world he was running away from, and informed him that he was not the only one left, but that there were 7,000 other people, who were also believers at the time. Elijah left the cave, found those other prophets and believers, and the cruel rulers were soon replaced by a just king, named Jehoshaphat.
The Soul whisperer let Elijah know that things were not as bleak as he once feared. He also learned that he was never alone, and the situation was not as desperate as he once perceived it was, from his cave of despair.
This story reveals the tender heart of God, who sees when we seclude ourselves in anguish, and how He comes to us with a gentle whisper, inviting us to go back and resume our place in this world. He promises to walks with us, to restore us physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. It’s the same divine Whisperer that embodied Jesus, when He said,
“Come unto me all you who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28-30)
It’s easy to become overwhelmed in our grief or discouragement, but just when we think we have no strength or faith left, the Spirit comes and whispers new hope to our souls.
When I once felt totally depleted, the Holy Spirit whispered to me through some Christian music I was listening to one day. I felt His loving presence, and His voice deep within my soul. It wasn’t an audible voice, but I knew the Holy Spirit was saying, “I want you back,” and something was permanently transformed in me, from that moment.
I believe the love of God comes to every person like a Soul whisperer, continually inviting them to return to Him. Instead of escaping the chaos by hiding in a cave, God wants to walk beside us in both the calm and chaotic times of our lives. Once we respond to that gentle Whisperer, He becomes a healing balm to our soul.
Caves and mountain tops are great places for prayer or meditation, but they weren’t meant to be permanent dwelling places. The Soul whisperer calls us out of our caves and away from our mountain tops. He whispers to us in our isolation, leading us back to the noisy, chaotic, real world, so that He can walk with us on our journey of faith.
Sorrow and grief can make us feel like we may never walk with the same vigor we once had, but the Soul whisperer says, “Walk with whatever you have left, and I will be with you all the rest of the way.”
He equips us to walk the most difficult paths, while showering us with new mercies each day, and it all starts with His gentle whisper.
Lord, help us to hear what you are whispering within our soul, as you heal and draw us out of our cave, revealing your new mercies to us each day. Amen
