The God Who Whispers

  As Elijah runs away and hides in a cave from Jezebel:   And the word of the Lord came to him, "What are you doing here, Elijah?" .....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.  Then a voice said to him, "What are you doing here Elijah?"   
1 Kings 19: 9-13
  Though He can, God does not often talk with the force of the wind.  Though He can, God does not often talk with the rumble and impact of an earthquake.  Though He can, God does not often talk with the blazing presence of fire. God instead talks quietly,  in whispers.  He is a loving God who desires to know you intimately.  What better way to do that than in a quiet place.  A place void of distraction.
  Stop running.  Stop the busyness of life.  Stop what you are doing and listen.  Sit.  In silence.  Wait.  Silently.  Listen for His voice.  Our almighty, powerful God chooses to intimately whisper.   He desires your attention.  Give Him your undivided attention.  Sit and quietly listen.  You will be forever changed.

Obedience

Two great kings.  King David and King Solomon.  Father and son.  David was known as 'a man after God's own heart'.  His cry, "create in me a clean heart, O God" (Psalm 51:10).  His desire was to obey.  He made his mistakes but desired forgiveness.  He knew God was the only way.   He sought after God.
  Solomon became King of Israel after his father, Davids death.  His prayer, "God, give me wisdom" [paraphrased from 1 Kings 3:1-11].  But at the same moment he prayed this prayer he was consciously disobeying God.  God forbid the Israelites from marrying foreign women (to keep their faith from foreign influence) (Exodus 34:16 and Deuteronomy 7:34).  God also forbid sacrifices from being burnt outside the temple (this assured proper supervision to the ceremonies and that God's ways would be maintained...the law would be adhered to) (Deuteronomy 12:13&14).  While Solomon prays for wisdom he is in the process of marrying the princess of Egypt (direct disobedience)...and is burning sacrifices to God on the "high places" (hills above Jerusalem)...(direct disobedience).  God honored Solomon's prayer and gave him wisdom.  Solomon was well known for his wisdom.  However, Solomon did not live out his wisdom in obedience.  His disobedience to God in marrying foreign wives led him into the worship of Molech (the Ammonite god) (as well as many others).  Molech, however, was worshiped via child sacrifice.
  This 'slide' of moral degradation didn't happen all at once.  It was gradual and slow.  Solomon knew what he needed to do.  He was gifted with more wisdom than anyone on earth.  His downfall, disobedience.  He knew the truth, he knew what was right, and chose to ignore it.  Over the course of years, Solomon went from a wise God fearing king (one who built the temple) to the creator of the shrine of Molech.  It was at the hands of Solomon innocent children were murdered.
  Solomon's lineage continued into moral degradation.  His son, Rehoboam born to an Ammonite mother continued the path of disobedience.  His disobedience caused the split in the house of Israel.  Not too many years following, Israel is totally conquered.
  It's interesting to me the difference in these two kings.  David and Solomon both made mistakes.  We all make mistakes. The difference: what they did after the fact.  David sought God and forgiveness.  Solomon did not.  Though Solomon was gifted with wisdom it did him no good.  His wisdom wasn't followed by obedience.
Would I be out of line to say Solomon's wisdom was for naught?  Wisdom without obedience.....useless.

Their stories: 1&2 Samuel, and 1 Kings ch.1 thru 11.

Praise for the Day

God, the feeling surrounding my heart...its amazing...I want more.  I can't get enough...you are amazing...and amazing isn't strong enough a word....I want you...you complete me.  I am so little...but you fill the large void in my heart.  Thank you for being everything.  You are my everything. 

To my Creator

Thank you for knowing me.  I can't pretend with you.  You created me so there's nothing to hide.  You know me.  You understand me.  I can fall into your arms.  I do this knowing you know everything I've done and still you love me.  It feels so good being loved BECAUSE I am your daughter.  Not because of anything I've done.  Feeling totally, completely and thoroughly loved.  Thank you for that.  I can't express my gratitude enough. Thank you.

Grace

     I made a small discovery the other day.  I was studying my Bible in Genesis.  I have read the creation story quite a few times, but never picked up a small detail.  In my years of being a Christian I have known God loves me, and has extended me grace.  He sent his Son to die for me.  In the back of the mind however I have held onto to a picture.  A picture of an iron fisted God throwing Adam and Eve out of the garden....I am not sure why I held on to that picture, but it's always been there, truthfully...shrouding out some of the love and grace God has extended to me.
  Recently while I was studying Genesis again, I noticed something I have never read before.  After Adam and Eve ate of the fruit (of knowledge of good and evil), God discovered and clothed them.  In Genesis 3:22&23 it states, "And the Lord God said, "The man has now become like one of us, knowing good and evil.  He must not be allowed to reach out his hand and take also from the tree of life and eat and live forever."  So the Lord God banished him from the Garden of eden to work the ground from which he had been taken.
  I read that and had to read it again and again, I don't know why because it makes sense.  My "ah-hah" moment....or maybe "duh" moment.  Yes, God removed them from the garden, but not with an iron fist.  He did it out of LOVE.  Because the tree of life was still in the garden and they still had access to it, they could still eat from it.  If they ate from it, they would live forever in their current state...in separation from God.  God could not allow that to happen, He LOVED them....and had mercy on them......so He removed them (so they couldn't further hurt themselves) from the garden.  He did not "throw" them out, He led them out as a Father would his son.   Hebrews 13:8 says, Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, and today and forever.  The loving God that allowed his son to die on the cross for me was the same loving God that lead Adam and Eve out of the garden.  It's funny how little things, imperceptions can cloud your view of the "big" picture...I never realized how much my previous view of the "garden" affected my understanding and ability to grasp God's grace.