The Whisper - 1 Kings 19:9-18

Are you listening to God?

Pray

Motivational Video

BIG Q: Are you listening to and obeying God?

We’ll be looking at Elijah the prophet’s story as we pray and reflect on that question.

Does anyone know anything about the prophet Elijah?

Prophet of God during the time of King Ahab’s rule of the northern kingdom of Israel.

King Ahab was wicked- very wicked

1 Kings 16:30

God used Elijah to rise up against King Ahab, proclaim the truth about God, expose Baal worship, and further the Lord’s kingdom in a tumultuous time.

Even though God used him, Elijah became discouraged, fearful and depressed at times.

This evening’s scripture tells about Elijah’s lowest point, for Ahab’s wife Jezebel just vowed to kill him.

Read 1 Kings 19:9-18

This is the Word of the Lord.

What does it mean to be a good listener?

A good listener listens to the loud and quiet words. A good listener pays attention to major things as well as the minor things. A good listener is attentive.

Which is the issue: God not speaking to us? Or us not listening to Him?

God speaks to us, but the issue is we don’t listen or obey as we should.

We often allow life circumstances to affect how we listen to and obey God.

Looking at Elijah’s story, we see that difficulty and adversity dramatically affect how we listen to and obey God.

When life is difficult, who do you usually blame first: other people or yourself?

We are quick to make excuses for ourselves and blame others.

Although it is far from the truth, we often believe that God is to blame since He is sovereign over all things.

We forget about all of creation’s fallen nature and our own sin.

Nonetheless, this tendency means difficulty, suffering, and challenges often lead us to trust God less and tune Him out.

Elijah is paralyzed with fear, feels like giving up on God, and is asking God to take his life (1 Kings 19:4).

Even though Elijah is a man of faith, he took his eyes off the Lord and became paralyzed by fear.

Elijah feels like he is all alone in serving God (1 Kings 19:10).

Elijah was feeling self-pity, which is harmful to our relationship with God and others.

What is self-pity?

Why is it harmful?

When we wallow in self-pity, we turn away from Jesus and turn toward ourselves and our problems. Big pimple in the mirror. Grand Canyon selfie featuring big pimple.

However, here in the passage, God meets Elijah in his doubt, suffering, and fear.

God is almighty and faithful. He draws near to Elijah in a way no one else can do.

How many of y’all believe God is mighty and powerful?

Elijah experiences God’s might and power in the mountains being torn apart by the powerful wind, the earthquake, and the fire.

Who can cause the wind to rip through the mountains, the earth to tremble and quake, and fire to consume all in its path?

God has many tools available to do His bidding- all of creation and all authority and resources in the universe.

But God was not in the mountains being torn apart by the powerful wind, the earthquake, or the fire.

We hear this and wonder: what is stronger than these calamities? What is coming next? A volcanic eruption? A hurricane??

But God speaks to Elijah in a completely contrary way- in a whisper.

How many of y’all truly believe God is personal and gentle as well as mighty?

God does not always do His work in a big, noisy way.

Satan has tremendous experience in sending noisy, bombastic distractions into our lives. Power, fanfare, and force has been forged since the beginning of time.

Who is the only One who brings lasting joy and peace? Who is the only One who leads us beside quiet waters?

God. God actively pursued you and me. Ephesians 2:14

Psalm 8:4

Luke 12:7

Luke 22:32

How should we apply this lesson to our own lives? How do we live this out?

“What are you doing here, Elijah?” 1 Kings 19:9 and 1 Kings 19:13

Elijah still had a mission to fulfill. God tells Elijah to get up, go back the way that he came, and obey Him.

Now you are being asked: “What are you doing here?”

Are you confused, running away from God, or discouraged? Are you having a hard time hearing God?

We often are lost in a sea of voices and noise. School, Instagram, Twitter, politicized news, etc. Deafening.

Spend time daily in the Word of God.

“Step back from the noise and activity of your busy life and listen humbly and quietly for His guidance. It may come when you least expect it.”

The Word of God quietly makes a lasting, spiritual impact in God’s people.

In my own life, I was riddled with discouragement and depression during my first year of college. I was heavy laden and listening to every voice that called out to me except God’s.

Worldly pleasures, besetting sins, voices of condemnation, you name it. At a Baptist Student Ministry fasting prayer meeting, I crumbled into pieces, marred by anxiety and doubt.

I defeated the purpose of fasting.

My mask of being a good church boy whose life was put together fell off.

But Jesus restored me by drawing me near to Himself.

Listening to and obeying God does not depend upon ourselves or our circumstances.

Rather, truly hearing God and following His guidance is a matter of being close to Him.

Elijah was so near to God that he heard God’s whisper.

Can we say the same? Trinitarian relationship in our lives.

The glorious truth of the Gospel is that we find Jesus reaching back for us in our dark, desolate caves.

Matthew 11:28

James 4:8

Repentance

Colony House lyrics: But I see Jesus out in front / He’s reaching back for the lonely / Reaching back ‘cause He loves me

Times of hardship and good times- draw near to Jesus.

Drink deeply from the fount of life. Don’t miss God’s still, calm voice.

Pray