September 14 - Looking Or Listening?

I Kings 19:11-12
“And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the LORD. And, behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks 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.”
 
Elijah looked at the wind, the earthquake, and even in the fire; yet, the Lord was not in any of them. It was not until Elijah listened to that “still small voice”. It was so powerful that he covered his face with his mantle and went out to stand at the opening of the cave. The Lord had gotten his attention, and was now about to speak to Elijah.
 
Instead of looking for signs around him, Elijah began to listen. Once he heard and acknowledged the “still small voice” he was then able to hear what the Lord had for him.
 
Wonder what we miss in our daily lives as Christians because we are looking for God to give us signs and wonders of what He would have us to do instead of allowing ourselves to be still and listen for His direction? We can trust in the Lord and allow Him to direct our paths, but in order to hear His direction we must stop and acknowledge Him while patiently waiting for Him to direct our paths.
 
As Elijah stood with his mantle wrapped around his face at the opening of the cave, God asked him, “What doest thou here, Elijah?” It wasn’t that God didn’t know the answer. He simply wanted Elijah to answer honestly, and He desires the same thing for us today.
 
Are we looking or listening for God’s direction today?
 
Psalm 46:10
“Be still, and know that I am God”
 
Bible Reading:
Isaiah 7-8  |  Revelation 19  |  Psalm 46