(1 Ki 19:11-12 NKJV) Then He said, “Go out, and stand on the mountain before the LORD.” And behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake; {12} and after the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice.
A still small voice. How fitting is it that God, who is all-powerful, would choose to speak to us in a still small voice?
But He does! He speaks to us in such subtle ways that we often miss it. Missing it usually means that we make bad decisions or poor choices and these usually cost us on one way or another.
God wants us to learn to hear Him. Why? Because He wants us to put some effort into and learn to operate in FAITH! If God spoke to us with a booming voice or ominous thunder it would require absolutely no faith at all on our part. That’s not how He operates.
Here’s a story about a time when God “spoke to me” at least 3 times in a single day and I missed Him, and it cost me dearly in many ways. Please read through this because there is a lesson to be learned!
Several years ago I was planning a fishing outing with some friends at a local lake. We had done some rough planning ahead of time, but when it came to the day of the event, it just didn’t seem like it was falling into place very easily.
Well, we pushed forward anyway and we all went to the lake for some fishing. We got to the lake and the conditions were terrible. But I ignored it and went fishing anyway.
About 45 minutes into the fishing trip, I had this ominous feeling that I needed to go back to the boat launch and check our vehicles. I ignored it and kept fishing.
A little while later I had a nauseous feeling that I couldn’t explain. I ignored it and kept fishing.
Still, a third time, I had this terrible feeling that I needed to quit fishing and go back to check my vehicle. I ignored it and kept fishing.
After fishing for the number of hours that we had pre-planned, we returned to the boat launch. And we found that all of our vehicles had been broken into, including my brand new truck that had only 1,000 miles on it. Windows were smashed and items had been stolen.
Needless to say, this was costly in terms of money and inconvenience. Had I listened and never gone to the lake to begin with, I would have avoided this. Had I heeded God’s promptings and listened as I was urged to return to the launch to check my vehicle or leave entirely, I would have avoided this.
This was a valuable lesson for me several years ago. I learned from it.
God wants us to hear Him. We just need to learn to hear Him.
He is talking. Are we listening?
Pastor Curt & Pastor Ellie
Seven Seas Ministries
P.O. Box 272
Bradford, RI 02808
401-377-5400
If you know someone who will enjoy this or be encouraged by it, please feel free to share it with them!
No comment yet, add your voice below!