September 15 Whispered Grace

September 15

Whispered Grace

1 Kings 19:11-14 And he said, "Go out and stand on the mount before the Lord." 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. 12 And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper. 13 And when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And behold, there came a voice to him and said, "What are you doing here, Elijah?" 14 He said, "I have been very jealous for the Lord, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away." 

HERE we see God's grand holiness and his gentle gracious love. As Elijah approached God, we must remember his life as a mortal, sinful man was in danger. God had demonstrated his holy, fearful majesty to Moses and Israel in Exodus 19:18-19 Now Mount Sinai was wrapped in smoke because the Lord had descended on it in fire. The smoke of it went up like the smoke of a kiln, and the whole mountain trembled greatly. 19 And as the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder, Moses spoke, and God answered him in thunder. And see also in Exodus 20:18 Now when all the people saw the thunder and the flashes of lightning and the sound of the trumpet and the mountain smoking, the people were afraid and trembled, and they stood far off.

    God had also warned Moses and Israel in Exodus 33:20 "But," he said, "you cannot see my face, for man shall not see me and live."  To protect Moses and Israel from his holy glory, our Lord graciously covered Moses with his hand. And he gave specific instructions to Israel on how to approach him in worship and sacrifice.

    Note now in this passage that the wind, earthquake and fire are again signs to  Elijah. To preserve his life,  Elijah covers his face against the wind, earthquake and fire. But as a loving Father, God does not come from this power demonstration. God is not there to overwhelm Elijah. He is there to care to love on this man.

    The Lord God Almighty graciously comes, instead, in a low whisper. He comes as a Counselor to hear Elijah's heartache. He comes to strengthen and lift up his anointed prophet to new faith and courage.  God has more for him to do.

    When you open your Bible, know that God's Book exists because God is gracious to make a way for you to come to him. We cannot see God in our sin and live. Born into sin, we can only know and see God as we are saved in the blood of Jesus Christ. Jesus came that we may stand one day in God's holy presence to not be afraid but to rejoice and be glad! Remember Jesus' words in his Kingdom message from Matthew 5:8 "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God."

   

Prayer: Thank you, Father, that you have made a way for me to eternally be in your holy presence. Amen.