When God Whispers

Posted on June 5, 2021 by KD Manes under God's Call, Uncategorized

“And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke 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. ¹²And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper.”
~ 1 Kings 19:11-12

I wonder if God’s gentle whisper completely surprised the prophet Elijah. It’s possible he had only known God’s justice. For God had called him to confront an evil king, his court, and corrupt priesthood. Elijah’s call wasn’t easy, but with it he experienced God’s awesome might and power, like the time God flashed fire from heaven (1 Kings 18:36-38). God not only worked miracles through Elijah, but would also whisk him away in a moment’s notice to the next mission (1 Kings 18:12). Up until hearing God whisper, Elijah’s interaction with Him seems to highlight His wrath. Maybe Elijah didn't know God's mercy.

After defeating Baal’s prophets, Elijah fearfully ran from the furious Queen Jezebel to Beersheba, then into the desert, and finally to Mount Horeb, which was also known as Mount Sinai. One doesn’t have to be in a crowd to hear noise. Besides the loud beating of his heartbeat, I imagine Elijah’s initial adrenalin rush filled his head and heart with the noisy anxious thoughts that spiraled into his state of despair.

But why was Elijah set on going to Sinai? Why travel over 200 miles‒in a state of exhaustion‒to a mountain that literally shook violently from God’s presence centuries earlier when the nation of Israel returned and received God’s laws (Exodus 19:1-3,18)?

This sacred mountain was a constant reminder of God’s words and promises. It was here that God met Moses and commissioned him to lead Israel out of Egypt (Exodus 3:1-10). (Interestingly, centuries later, Moses, Elijah, and Jesus would once again meet together on a mountaintop, Luke 9:28-36.)

Even though God questioned Elijah twice, “What are you doing here?” first on his solo trek across the desert, and then again at Mt. Sinai, He knew Elijah’s heart. God’s question brought clarity to Elijah’s troubled mind.

Lonely and discouraged, Elijah believed the lie that he was the only one left who was still true to God. In desperation, he determined to hear God’s voice, even if it meant an arduous journey to this sacred place, Mount Sinai, where his ancestors heard from God.

And though God knew Elijah was immersing himself in self-pity, I think it pleased Him that Elijah was seeking after Him. He sustained him by counseling him to take a good nap, and then eat supernatural food, angel food cake. 🙂 Thus giving him energy for the forty days and nights journey, (1 Kings 19).

Upon arrival at Sinai, Elijah obeyed God by standing on the mountain in His presence. As he waited and experienced the terrifying wind, earthquake, and fire, he realized that God wasn’t in these dramatic displays. He also realized, perhaps for the first time, that the sound of the gentle whisper was God’s voice.

God doesn’t reveal Himself only in dramatic, powerful ways. How many times do we miss Him when our focus is finding Him in big rallies, conferences, churches, and/or highly visible leaders?

How many times have I missed God’s voice from my own busy activities? How many times have I rushed through my Bible reading and prayer requests without taking time to quiet my thoughts and be still, allowing God to speak to me? Too many times. . . too many forfeited blessings.

Thankfully, we don’t have to trek to a mountain to meet with God. As born again believers, we have His indwelt Holy Spirit who is always with us. The location of worship and fellowship with God isn’t nearly as important as our attitude.

PERSONAL APPLICATION

Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross proves His deep desire is for us to know Him and commune with Him. Do you struggle to hear God’s voice? If you haven’t already, try implementing these practical steps:

Spend time with God every day. It takes time and work to develop a relationship. The same is true with God. “In the morning, LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly,” Psalm 5:3

Pray. Ask God to help you hear His voice; to show how He speaks and that He would reveal himself to you. Ask Him to reveal any unconfessed sin. If He does, ask for forgiveness and turn away from the sinful activity that has broken fellowship with Him.

Join a church. Grow together with other believers.

Journal. What is God is laying on your heart? Record it in a notebook. Be slow to judge a thought or impression too quickly. After a few weeks or months, read it again. Does it align with God’s character? A trusted mentor or Christian friend can sometimes be helpful in discerning experiences.

Study the Bible. This is God’s infallible, anointed WORD. We need to be in it on a regular basis to know what it says. Join a Bible study group. Follow a daily Bible reading plan. When God’s Word is your foundation, you can discern if what you’ve heard is from God or not. If it doesn’t align with Scriptural principles, it isn’t from God.

Pray about everything you’ve heard the Lord say. Do I need to take action now? Is this something in the future? Do I need to surrender something? Ask the Lord what He wants you to do with His revealed word.

Be patient. Like anything else in life, it takes time and work to discern God’s voice. I’ve never heard God’s audible voice, but He speaks to me often. He brings peace, comfort, guidance, and even conviction.

“Lord, thank you for your incredible patience. Thank you that you want to fellowship with me. Although you are powerful and mighty, You are also a friend of silence. Your very creation‒flowers, trees, the moon and stars‒not only witness to your powerful creativity, but also grow and move in silence. Quiet my rumbling anxious thoughts. Help me to wait on you, humbly listen, and then obey.”

The Promise of Many Descendants, Romans 4:13-25

Posted on February 12, 2015 by KD Manes under Bible Study

“As for me, this is my covenant with you: You will be the father of many nations. No longer will you be called Abram; your name will be Abraham, for I have made you a father of many nations. I will make you very fruitful; I will make nations of you, and kings will come from you. I will establish my covenant between me and you for the generations to come, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you.” – Genesis 17:4-7

Abraham’s name means “father of a multitude”. Israel, the nation that would come from Abraham, was to follow God and influence others. Jesus Christ—born to save humanity— descended from Abraham’s family line. 6fbc418779f48e2f1433a58ed83d578b Through Christ, people can have a personal relationship with God and become His children by being grafted into His family.

As the first Hebrew patriarch, Abraham became a role model of faith. God’s promises to Abraham and his descendants are based on grace, not on their ability to keep the Law. Although Abraham made mistakes and sinned, he believed in God’s power and integrity. His goodness and faith became evident in his actions of surrender, obedience, and complete confidence in God to carry out His promises.

Shepherd’s Notes observes: “Putting the relationship between God and humans on a legalistic basis invites the wrath of God. Relationships with a legalistic basis require both parties to carry out perfectly both the spirit and the letter of the Law. Failure to do this results in penalties (wrath) to the offending party. Knowing the weakness of human nature as He does, God knows right relationship must be founded on something other than a legal basis.”

Paul ends this section reminding us that Abraham’s justification by faith has purpose for us too: for “us who believe in Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead” (vs. 24) is also reckoned righteousness . . . . Jesus “was delivered over to death for our sins and raised to life for our justification (vs. 25).

So What?

God graciously gave His Son, Jesus Christ, 8607e1deaa4c56349abdb964bdfba256 to be crucified and raised to life as payment for our sins. All who reach out in faith will receive the power of His forgiveness, eternal life, and abundant blessings.

On what basis did God declare Abraham righteous?

What does it mean to be justified by faith?

The Stumbling Stone, Romans 9:30-33

Posted on December 21, 2014 by KD Manes under Bible Study

What then shall we say? That the Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have obtained it, a righteousness that is by faith; but Israel, who pursued a law of righteousness, has not attained it. Why not? Because they pursued it not by faith but as if it were by works. They stumbled over the “stumbling stone.” – Romans 9:30-32, NIV

The “stumbling stone” was none other than Jesus. Because Jesus did not meet many of the Jews’ expectations for their Messiah, they rejected Him as God’s Son. Although the Jews pursued a worthy goal of honoring God, some became short-sighted and dedicated themselves more to the Law than to God. They either didn’t see—or want to believe—their Old Testament Scriptures that salvation (righteousness) comes by faith, not by human effort (Gen. 15:6).

Paul had reminded his readers earlier in chapter 9 that: 1) The Jews couldn’t earn God’s favor through their national heritage, 2) God’s ways are not bound by human ideas and plans, and 3) The Jews were responsible for rejecting Jesus as Messiah.

As it is written: “See, I lay in Zion a stone that causes people to stumble and a rock that makes them fall, and the one who believes in Him will never be put to shame.” – Romans 9:33

On the other hand, Paul explains that some Gentiles acquired God’s righteousness, but not on the basis of perfectly following the Law. Rather, their righteousness was given from God as a gift because they accepted Christ and His message.

So What?

Like the Jews in Paul’s day, it’s human nature to try and get right with God by being good. This can take many forms: faithful church attendance, church work, giving, being nice, volunteering, good sportsmanship. Although these are worthy pursuits, according to Scripture they won’t make us right with God.

Some people stumble over Christ because salvation by faith goes against all they’ve experienced and been taught. Some think because God is love He will overlook their sins. Some stumble over Christ because He asks for humility and requires obedience.

But Scripture makes it clear: There is only one way to obtain righteousness and become right with God. It boils down to accepting or rejecting God’s Son, Jesus Christ.

Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on him.” -John 3:36

If you haven’t placed your trust in Jesus, and the work He did for you on the cross to forgive your sins, why not do it now? None of us are guaranteed tomorrow. And eternal life is at stake. Simply admit to Him your sins and ask His forgiveness. Tell Him you believe He is all He claims in the Bible. Ask Him to come into your life and indwell you through His Holy Spirit. Then follow Him by obeying His commands.