The Sound of Silence 9-3-09

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Good morning, my Heavenly Father. Good morning, Holy Spirit of the Living God. I seek You and worship You, Lord God Almighty, in every dimension of Your Being, as I welcome You into every dimension of my being. ... "He said, 'Go out and stand on the mountain before the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.' Now there was a great wind, so strong that it was splitting mountains and breaking 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 sound of sheer silence" (1 Kings 19:11-12). Is there a sound of silence? I know many versions of the Bible translate these words to mean Elijah heard a gentle whisper or a still, small voice. But the Hebrew word of the original language seems to clearly mean "silence, the complete lack of sound of any kind." It's not until the next verse that He then hears You speak to him in the still, small voice: "When Elijah heard it (the silence), he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. Then there came a voice to him that said, 'What are you doing here, Elijah?' " (v. 19:13). Why is it so hard for us to believe in the power of Your silence? What is about silence before the Lord, waiting on the Lord, that our spiritual enemy and our own human flesh fear so much? We can believe You come in the power of mighty rushing winds, the trembling and shaking of great earthquakes, and all-consuming fire. But can we believe that there are times that You come in the power of the sound of silence? And are there times when the most powerful and effective thing we can do is to simply answer Your call, "Be still, and know that I am God" (Psalm 46:10)? Elijah experienced Your sensational power. But it was when he experienced Your sheer silence that he came out of his cave, stood before Your presence, and heard Your voice. Then in the gentle whisper and the still, small voice of the Father heart of God, You allowed Elijah to see where he was and then showed him where he would be (1 Kings 19:13-18). You are the great God of power and might who is also the gentle God who speaks to His sons and daughters in the steadfast love of Your tender mercies. You often use the sensational and dramatic experiences of our lives to get our attention and remind us of Your sovereignty and power and presence. But it's often in the silence of surrender and quiet stillness before You that You transition our lives from one season to the next. Sometimes we may feel "alone," but You remind us there are others (v. 19:14). Sometimes we may feel "afraid," but You assure us You're with us (v. 19:3). You strengthen us for the journey and remind us of our destiny (v. 19:8). You encouraged us that through the battles for the advancement of Your Kingdom on earth and the advancement of Your Kingdom in our own souls, You have plans and purposes, calling and destiny for our lives that never change through the circumstances of our battles (v. 19:15-16). "For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable" (Romans 11:29), they are "without repentance" (KJV). Open the eyes of my heart to see the mighty right hand of Your power in the circumstances all around me. But also help me not be afraid of the silence. Make me more sensitive to listen for the sound of silence. Then let my spirit arise to stand in Your presence and hear Your voice and obey Your leading into the journey of the next season in the life and ministry of Your Kingdom. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Friends, thank you for your prayers for our Prayer Revival in central Kentucky this week. Last night, our final night, the pastors brought in busloads of children to hear about the prayers and the God of Elijah and many received Jesus into their hearts for the first time! Praise God! Thank you for all the ways you are a part of our ministry with your prayers, encouragement, and support. I pray for breakthrough, revival, and awakening in your spirit, your land, and all the burdens of the Lord on your heart! Order my books, Free to Be Like Jesus and Morning by Morning and our other Messiah Ministries Resources or Contribute to Our Ministry on-line at:www.shop.messiah-ministries.org Subscribe by email to me at Messiah Ministries --MessiahMin@aol.com -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord ... Ministering the Healing Love of God" www.messiah-ministries.org 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, KY 40502 Devotional Archives at: www.morningbymorning.blogspot.com