Saturday, January 31, 2009
1 Kings 19:11-13 The LORD said, "Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by." Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave.
THE LUTHERAN ADVANTAGE: THE MEANS OF GRACE: THE WHISPER OF LOVE
While the prophet Elijah sat in a secluded cave, saddened over the fact that so few had heeded the words of his ministry, the Lord came to strengthen Him. He revealed Himself to Elijah not in anger or fiery judgment, but in the quiet voice that speaks of love and friendship. The LORD was not in the violent earthquake, fire, or wind, but when the quiet voice came, Elijah knew this was God -- and he did not hesitate to speak to this voice of all his problems and all his worries.
Surely God can reveal Himself to men in fearful power and majesty (e.g. the mighty deeds done before Pharoah). But we also look beyond the might and power to His grace and great love. This love is revealed to us as a gentle whisper; a peaceful gift of the forgiveness of sins in Christ. In His mercy He chooses to bring us to Himself not through the thunderings of the law, but through the quiet voice of the gospel in word and in sacrament.
Now of course a whisper is an easy thing to ignore, and because the Lord comes to us this way many people have no problem brushing Him aside. So let us be careful to listen to that peaceful voice saying, "Come to me you who labor and are heavily burdened and I will give you rest . . . Repent and believe the good news!"
Thus it is that we always know exactly where to find our Savior. In this still quiet voice of the Gospel we find Him every time.
