In I Kings 19, we read the story of Elijah running for his life from Queen Jezebel. Seeking refuge on Horeb. The wind, the earthquake, the fire. Then the still, small voice of God.
And when Elijah went forth from Horeb, he did so in strength.
Yet think on it – nothing had changed: Jezebel was still after him. The Israelites had declared their allegiance to Yahweh on Mount Carmel, but you don’t see much evidence of actual repentance. Ahab was still a louse.
But something had changed: Elijah’s perspective. His faith. His confidence.
What had happened? Elijah had listened to the still, small voice of God. He had re-established his relationship with his King. He had communed with the great I AM. Therefore, even though nothing had changed, everything had changed: Elijah knew that God would walk with him through the problems, and would resolve them in his own way and in his own time.
How often do I complain to God about all that’s going wrong in my life, and fuss and fume because “God isn’t answering”? The fact is, I want God to fix my problems the way I tell him, and I want him to do it now. But God calls me with his still, small voice. And this is what he says:
“I am with you. I am sovereign over all creation. I love you. I am acting on your behalf. Will you trust me?”
If I refuse his answer, I go forth from my own Horeb a broken, embittered soul; devastated because nothing has changed.
If I respond to his promise, I go forth renewed and restored, and – in his own time and in his own way, starting with me – everything changes.