3. Peace
| Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. 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. When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. Then a voice said to him, "What are you doing here, Elijah?" He replied, "I have been very zealous for the LORD God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, broken down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too." (1Kings19:11-14) |
God asks him twice "What are you doing here, Elijah?"
Both times Elijah's answer, in a nutshell, is the same: "I've worked hard, been rejected, ignored and threatened and I'm all alone."
But I imagine his tone of voice changes between the first and second complaint, because it seems he is content after the second time.
Why is that?
Because he experienced PEACE.
Scholars are divided about whether the earthquake, wind and fire were real or simply manifestations of Elijah's disturbed state. It actually doesn't matter. Either way they are powerful metaphors of the lack of peace Elijah is experiencing. Peace is not to be found until he hears the gentle whisper.
The telling part of the text is that God had asked Elijah to stand outside, but Elijah had retreated back into the cave again and he has to come out to the gentle whisper.
Jesus promises peace. Peace not as the world gives, but His peace - the peace of the Holy Spirit.
This peace is found by disciples waking Jesus in the middle of the storm.
It comes to a man formerly possessed by a legion of demons.
It comes to a boatload of passengers on a storm tossed boat receiving communion from Paul.
It comes to those who are ready to listen beyond the noise of turmoil, travail and heartache to hear the gentle whisper of the Spirit.
To do that we have to come out of the cave of self-pity, cynicism, negativity and doubt.
We need to hear His whisper...
And He will give peace...
