The Highs and the LowsSample

Elijah (The Highs)

Elijah was a man who truly embodied his name, which literally means “Yahweh is God.” In everything he did, he proclaimed those words, and he was a man who heard directly from God and made himself familiar with God’s voice. During this encounter, a whole heap happened. A strong wind shook up the land, then an earthquake, followed by a fire, but God was not in any of it. Instead, as Elijah waited, he heard a gentle whisper. Not a booming voice, but a gentle whisper.

Elijah was in a dark space, terrified of what would happen next. Many of us could become so concerned with our own thoughts that hearing God would be the last thing on our minds. But when Elijah was told he would hear from God, he was prepared under any circumstances. The first thing Elijah hears is, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”. God already knew why Elijah was there - he told him to stand on the mountain himself - but he wanted a relationship with Elijah. So often, we forget that we serve a relational God who knows our thoughts but still wants to connect with us.

Then Elijah tells God his situation (a situation he already knew), and it's only then that God gives Elijah instructions. His breakthrough. God sends Elijah to anoint a new King and new prophets. He sends people to look out for Elijah and also reminds him that there are still 7000 in Israel who haven’t worshipped Baal, reminding him that he’s not alone. God reminded him that there was still more to do. Imagine if Elijah had not pressed into God the way he did. He may not have recognised his voice, and he may not have received this revelation. In the same way, you can recognise your parent’s voice in a crowd, Elijah recognised God’s.

Questions

Q: What is getting in the way of your time with God? It could be your phone, a relationship, or a habit. Take time today to ask God to reveal what that is to you today… And make a change.

Prayer:

Father, I thank you for still speaking today and wanting to have a direct relationship with me. Lord, would you open my eyes to everything that separates me from hearing your voice, whether sinful or not, so that I’d remove those distractions and prioritize you over them? I want to seek to hear your voice over all the others so that my thoughts, actions, and whole way of being will be rooted in you.

Amen