Am I listening to God?

And the angel of the Lord came back the second time, and touched him, and said, “Arise and eat, because the journey is too great for you.”  So he arose, and ate and drank; and he went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights as far as Horeb, the mountain of God. And there he went into a cave, and spent the night in that place; and behold, the word of the Lord came to him, and He said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” So he said, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God of hosts; for the children of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I alone am left; and they seek to take my life.” 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;  and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice. So it was, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood in the entrance of the cave. Suddenly a voice came to him, and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” - 1 Kings 19:7-13 (NKJV)

I have been taught that there are three steps to effective communication.

1. Prepare the audience to hear your message. Make sure that you have their attention and that they are ready to hear the message.

Elijah's trip took over double the time it should have taken. Therefore, the period had symbolic meaning as well as showing literal time. As the people of Israel had a notable spiritual failure and so wandered 40 years in the wilderness, so a discouraged Elijah was to spend 40 days in the desert. As Moses had spent 40 days on the mountain without bread and water, sustained only by God as he awaited a new phase of service, so Elijah was to spend 40 days depending on God’s enablement as he prepared for a new commission from the Lord. As Moses had seen the presence of God, so Elijah experienced a manifestation of God. - John MacArthur

Am I making time to be quiet with God daily?

What am I filling my mind and heart with daily?

Is there any noise in my life (emotional, mental, digital) that I need to turn down?

Is there any unconfessed sin in my life?

If we [freely] admit that we have sinned and confess our sins, He is faithful and just [true to His own nature and promises], and will forgive our sins and cleanse us continually from all unrighteousness [our wrongdoing, everything not in conformity with His will and purpose]. - 1 John 1:9 (Amplified Bible)

2. Tell them the message

And there he went into a cave, and spent the night in that place; and behold, the word of the Lord came to him, and He said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” - 1 Kings 19:9 (NKJV)

3. Repeat the message a second time.

So it was, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood in the entrance of the cave. Suddenly a voice came to him, and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” - 1 Kings 19:13 (NKJV)

If God were to speak to you today, would He say "What are you doing here?"

How can I hear the still small voice of God?

1. Be Still

Be still, and know that I am God - Psalm 46:10

No distractions. Just you and the Lord.

2. Pray and wait

Lord, I quiet my heart before You. In this stillness, I want to know You and your presence. Remove distractions, doubts, and noise. Speak to me in Your still small voice. Sensitize my heart to the promptings of Holy Spirit. In Jesus' name, amen.

Wait on the Lord;
Be of good courage,
And He shall strengthen your heart;
Wait, I say, on the Lord! - Psalm 27:14 (NKJV)

3. Read God’s Word daily

Challenge: Read Psalm 139 every day for the next 40 days and listen for His still small voice each day.

Read the Bible daily. Make it part of your everyday business to read and meditate on some portion of God's Word. Gather your manna fresh every morning. Choose your own seasons and hours. Do not scramble over and hurry your reading. Give your Bible the best, and not the worst, part of your time. But whatever plan you pursue, let it be a rule of your life to visit the throne of grace and the Bible every day. - J. C. Ryle

4. Withdraw from noise

Not just literal noise, but also digital clutter (e.g. turn your phone off), stress, and busyness. Early mornings can provide that environment.

But Jesus Himself would often slip away to the wilderness and pray [in seclusion]. - Luke 5:16 (Amplified Bible)

For I know the plans and thoughts that I have for you, says the Lord, plans for peace and well-being and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.  Then you will call on Me and you will come and pray to Me, and I will hear [your voice] and I will listen to you.  Then [with a deep longing] you will seek Me and require Me [as a vital necessity] and [you will] find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. - Jeremiah 29:11-13 (Amplified Bible)

Be Encouraged to be still and listen to the still small voice of God.



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