How is it for you in terms of finding quiet time - that is, time for being alone with God? I struggle with it even being at home with noise from neighbors or hearing lawnmowers from the landscaping crew, or the sirens of emergency vehicles. However, it is times of silence that can be very precious for us in our relationship with God. I want you to consider this from our lesson for this coming Sunday regarding Elijah's experience with God.
"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."....Then came a voice to him that said,"What are you doing here, Elijah?" 1 Kings 9:11-13
While God may have been present at other times in very dramatic ways, it is here in a time of silence that God speaks to Elijah. The prophet only needs to listen. There was a very important message that came for him. The situation was that Elijah was ready to give up on his work; he even wanted to die. HIs life was in danger from Ahab's wife, Jezebel. Elijah goes into a sulking mode and hides out in a cave.
I'm sure you have had moment of despair in trying to live faithfully in today's world. Amid your own witness, you don't seem to make an impact. As a result, you get easily discouraged.
I believe we also need to find the space in order to have quiet time with God and put ourselves into a listening mode. Have you been able to find such a place? If not in your home, maybe a park or some setting in nature might work for you.
In preparation for Sunday's message, reflect on these verses from the text.
Discipleship Questions for Reflection
How much have you been able to find quiet moments in order to focus entirely on God?
Have you ever had a thought come to you as you sat quietly and you felt it was God's leading?
"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."....Then came a voice to him that said,"What are you doing here, Elijah?" 1 Kings 9:11-13
While God may have been present at other times in very dramatic ways, it is here in a time of silence that God speaks to Elijah. The prophet only needs to listen. There was a very important message that came for him. The situation was that Elijah was ready to give up on his work; he even wanted to die. HIs life was in danger from Ahab's wife, Jezebel. Elijah goes into a sulking mode and hides out in a cave.
I'm sure you have had moment of despair in trying to live faithfully in today's world. Amid your own witness, you don't seem to make an impact. As a result, you get easily discouraged.
I believe we also need to find the space in order to have quiet time with God and put ourselves into a listening mode. Have you been able to find such a place? If not in your home, maybe a park or some setting in nature might work for you.
In preparation for Sunday's message, reflect on these verses from the text.
Discipleship Questions for Reflection
How much have you been able to find quiet moments in order to focus entirely on God?
Have you ever had a thought come to you as you sat quietly and you felt it was God's leading?
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