by Sandy Kirby Quandt

The story of Elijah’s despair after his defeat of the prophets of Baal to hearing God’s voice on the mountain is a lesson in hope to me. I often refer to this episode in the prophet’s life when I feel defeated, even after God grants victories.

From the huge victory God performed through Elijah, to God’s quiet whisper of encouragement, Elijah experienced emotions many of us face.

Through God’s power Elijah defeated four hundred fifty prophets of Baal. After such an enormous display of God’s sovereignty, Elijah fled for his life when Queen Jezebel threatened to kill him within twenty-four hours.

When Elijah fled, he prayed he might die saying, “I have had enough, LORD. Take my life.” Instead of granting Elijah’s request, the LORD provided miraculously for Elijah’s physical needs.

Once strengthened, the prophet traveled forty days and forty nights to Mount Horeb; the mountain of God. There he went into a cave, spent the night, and heard God’s voice. During the night God asked Elijah what he was doing there. Elijah listed all the rejection he felt as God’s prophet, even though he’d been zealous for the LORD.

God told him to go stand on the mountain for HE was going to pass by.

In The Women’s Devotional Guide to the Bible the author tells how, like Elijah, we can listen to God speak to us today.

• First, Elijah had to be available
• Second, he had to be quiet
• Third, Elijah had to get rid of distraction
• Fourth, he had to take the time to hear God’s voice

Elijah found great victory through God’s powerful display. He also found comfort and strength in God’s quiet whisper.

When life beats us up and we want to quit, God is still the answer.

How do you make yourself available, quiet, and undistracted to hear God’s whisper?

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 “Go out and stand before me on the mountain,” the Lord told him. And as Elijah stood there, the Lord passed by, and a mighty windstorm hit the mountain. It was such a terrible blast that the rocks were torn loose, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake there was a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire there was the sound of a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave.

And a voice said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 1 Kings 19:11-13 (NLT)

I wish you well.

Sandy

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