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 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.

Check out this guy Elijah.

He’s this prophet bloke who is seen as a major man of God by all who meet him.

He has faith.

Look at chapter 18!

Here’s the story:

He stood before the prophets of Baal (a false god of the time in Israel) and challenged them to a battle between his God and theirs. He has that much faith that God will speak for himself that he throws down the gauntlet and bets these guys can’t light a bbq for their god. The vital hitch, no matches.

When they can’t do it he confidently stands there and mocks them, teasing them to shout louder, perhaps Baal was deep in thought and could not hear them. These false prophets, whether they believed or were just determined to save face, carried on and on until they realised dejectedly that it was hopeless.

Elijah steps forward, I imagine with a flourish and I’m tempted to imagine a grin playing on his lips. This was one duel he knew they hadn’t a chance of winning. He prepares grain and meat for the altar he’s created and then just to rub salt in the ever widening wounds of pride he gets his guys to douse it in water, not once but three times!

No matches in hand or secret blocks of quick lighting charcoal thrown on top, he calls out to God and ‘whoooof’ the whole thing goes up in flames. No trickery, no magic, just God at work.

Here is a man, slap bang at the forefront of mission.

He’s there living the dream and watching at that pinnacle moment when the people who follow Baal suddenly realise there is a God and they are not worshipping Him. Imagine what he must be feeling as he sees these people flung out on the ground in front of him their sudden realisation causing them to literally shout out ‘The Lord –He IS God!’

What a buzz! What an amazing feeling to be part of this massive conversion.

He can see God working before his very eyes. Surely this makes him a strong person, a leader, someone who never has any problems.

In the eyes of the crowds he has faith, he is invincible, he has everything sorted. He’s down with the almighty. Someone that is this close to God, why would they be anything but strong?

Elijah is Human

But Elijah, being human, needs God just as we do. Being a prophet had a heavy price in responsibility tied to it, there wasn’t much room for mistake in Old Testament times, If God told you to do something, you did it, Jesus’ sacrifice hadn’t been made so he wasn’t there to intercede between God and man.

Being anointed a Prophet meant a lot of challenges for Elijah to take on, a lot of new situations to get stuck into and a lot of stress to go through as he moved around. I’m sure culture shock is not just a modern day invention, and this guy was moving around a lot for God!

Prophets at the time were wanted men and Elijah was no exception. Evil King Ahab had been hunting down the elusive Elijah for years. Add that to your everyday stresses!

Elijah struggled just as we do and needed as much help from God as both you and me, whether we realise it or not.

A chapter on we see he comes before God because he’s at his wits end. He doesn’t feel able to cope anymore, he’s all burnt out. Just a few hours before this he walks into the desert and asks God to take his life.  He wanted a saviour, someone to take off the pressure, and a little breathing space. So much so, that he asks God to take his life.

God needs a heart to heart with Elijah.

God decides it’s time for a conversation with Elijah and calls him to his mountain, Mt Horeb. Elijah goes and when told stands on the mountain waiting for the presence of God to pass by.

Looking at the previous display of Gods power makes me love what happens with Elijah next. Such a huge display of fireworks storming from heaven to burn up that altar provokes the feeling that something equally impressive is about to happen when God passes by, let’s face it he has a few bits and pieces at his disposal to create a spectacular entrance.

So we wait, and read on.

A huge gust of wind tears through the mountains, it could be God, but Elijah is still stood stock still so he knows it can’t be him yet.

Next and earthquake, God could have used this to shake Elijah up and force him to his knees but still Elijah can’t feel Gods presence.

Next a fire. Now God had done this with Moses hadn’t he with the whole burning bush thing, it’d make sense to continue the theme, but STILL Elijah can’t feel Gods presence.

Suddenly Elijah falls on his face and brings his cloak up over his head awestruck.

Not a bolt of lightning, not a legion of angels singing in unison, but something as soft and personal as a whisper brings this big hearted prophet to his knees.

This is such a special moment between God and Elijah. The Prophet is feeling fragile and God knows that completely, like a father he draws close and whispers to Elijah ‘What are you doing her Elijah?’

Elijah shares his heart with God:

‘I have been very zealous for the Lord God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, broken down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.’

Creation shares his heart with creator.

Instead of being angry with Elijah, angry that he was afraid of being killed when he has the creator of everything looking out for him God provides him with people to help. It’s a true Father son conversation, a display of compassion and love from father to child.

It only took a whisper.

Well this post is long enough, and despite a gross lack of pictures (sorry!),  you get my point.  We have a God of compassion, a father figure. He can use us to do great things but he’s interested also in the everyday. He’s never too busy for us and is always around if we are in need of some help.

Also, just because God is using you , it doesn’t mean your not allowed to have problems!

I guess God’s reminding me this today, for future reference, that when you or I are at our lowest points.

That’s when he draws near with a whisper.