Issue link: http://denverseminary.uberflip.com/i/909943
DECEMBER 19 14 E lijah was tired. He had been faithful and obedient, working relentlessly to serve his Lord. It seemed he had labored in vain; the Israelites persisted in rejecting both God and the prophet. In the midst of Elijah's deepest despair, God made Himself present to strengthen and instruct His tormented servant. High upon the mountain there came a destructive wind, a violent earthquake, and a ravaging fire. The powerful elements had nothing to offer frail humanity. Instead God's revelation came through a gentle whisper. This encounter with stillness stirred something deep within Elijah's spirit that strengthened him to continue his service. God is tireless. He is unchanging and eternal. He has not altered the course of His mission since He spoke light into existence. His very word, even when whispered, holds the power of life and death. How often we find ourselves as Elijah—at the apex of chaos, senses assaulted, flesh weakened. In the midst of this calamity we crave tranquility, and our constant God remains present and active to offer us Himself. In loving pursuit He poses to each of us the same question He asked Elijah: "What are you doing here?" We need only to be still and to know He is God. As we approach this season of celebration, we reflect upon our unassuming Savior. God sent His Son as a whisper: a baby wrapped in rags, a servant bending to wash feet, a friend to children and society's rejects. No pomp. No circumstance. Instead, He relinquished for a time the fullness of His power in mercy and grace and extended a tender invitation to draw near to His presence and sit at His feet. It is not in our struggling or striving or stressing that the Prince of Peace makes Himself known. Rather, as we acquiesce to bend our knees and embrace the stillness, the Creator of heaven and earth responds with words of life and life to the full. May we find time this Advent season to intentionally withdraw from the noise. May we escape from the errands and lists and events. Let us bask in the presence of our loving Father, revel in the salvation received from our Redeemer, and anticipate the Spirit's whisper as He testifies to our inheritance as sons and daughters of the Living God! Judy Lynch Admissions Advisor, West Texas Campus "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." —1 Kings 19:11–12 Awaiting a Whisper