We have had some intense weather in our region. Unprecedented winds, storms, and flooding. Driving around my neighborhood, almost every home has a pile of soaking wet debris dragged from a waterlogged basement. It rained again last night. Thunder, winds and lightning rattled every window and my nerves. As I waited for it all to pass, my thoughts were about how God speaks.
I remember reading that He once spoke to the prophet Elijah. The scenario was God speaking to Elijah who is hiding and afraid. He tells Elijah to 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.
He knew God chose to speak in a whisper that day.
So, who is speaking in these storms?
There is another prophet in the Bible. His name is Nahum. He had the role of whistle blower for God to Ninevah, the capital city of Assyria. Years before Nahum spoke, Jonah (his story may be more familiar; the big fish, 3 days in the belly) was to alert Ninevah of God's coming judgement. They listened to Jonah's warning, but then the city and nation turned back to their evil ways of doing things.
Nahum is called to say this to the city of Ninevah; "The Lord is slow to anger and great in power; the Lord will not leave the guilty unpunished. His way is in the whirlwind and the storm, and clouds are the dust of his feet. He rebukes the sea and dries it up; he makes all the rivers run dry...the mountains quake before him and the hills melt away. The earth trembles at his presence, the world and all who live in it. Who can withstand his indignation? Who can endure his fierce anger? His wrath is poured out like fire; the rocks are shattered before him. The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him, but with an overwhelming flood he will make an end of Ninevah.
I remember reading that He once spoke to the prophet Elijah. The scenario was God speaking to Elijah who is hiding and afraid. He tells Elijah to 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.
He knew God chose to speak in a whisper that day.
So, who is speaking in these storms?
There is another prophet in the Bible. His name is Nahum. He had the role of whistle blower for God to Ninevah, the capital city of Assyria. Years before Nahum spoke, Jonah (his story may be more familiar; the big fish, 3 days in the belly) was to alert Ninevah of God's coming judgement. They listened to Jonah's warning, but then the city and nation turned back to their evil ways of doing things.
Nahum is called to say this to the city of Ninevah; "The Lord is slow to anger and great in power; the Lord will not leave the guilty unpunished. His way is in the whirlwind and the storm, and clouds are the dust of his feet. He rebukes the sea and dries it up; he makes all the rivers run dry...the mountains quake before him and the hills melt away. The earth trembles at his presence, the world and all who live in it. Who can withstand his indignation? Who can endure his fierce anger? His wrath is poured out like fire; the rocks are shattered before him. The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him, but with an overwhelming flood he will make an end of Ninevah.
God showed He can also choose to speak in the storm.
How is He speaking to today? To whom is HE speaking? Have we thought of listening? The Lord is good. A refuge for those who trust Him in times of trouble. From the looks of things, I believe He is trying to get our attention.
References to 1 Kings 19:9-13, Nahum 1:3-8
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