Who's voice are you listening to?

“My soul waits in silence for God only; From Him is my salvation.”  Psalm 62:1

            Elijah had experienced a stunning victory on Mount Carmel.  God had shown Himself in all His power when He accepted Elijah’s sacrifice and the gods of the other prophets had not accepted theirs.  He had ordered the people to seize the false prophets of Baal and had put them all to death.  Jezebel, the Queen, was not pleased and had vowed to do the same to Elijah.  Rather than riding high on his success, Elijah was first afraid, then depressed to the point of wanting to die.  Instead of rebuking him, God ministered to Elijah, first feeding and then empowering him.  Elijah used his supernatural strength to find a cave and sought direction.

            God came to Elijah.  First came a wind so strong that it broke pieces off the mountain.  Then came an earthquake, and then fire.  Elijah recognized that God was not in any of these huge manifestations of power.  When Elijah heard a gentle breeze, he covered his face. He knew that God was there.  Elijah had learned to listen for and recognize the voice of God.  It was not in the noisy show of power, it was in the quiet.  I wonder how many hours Elijah had spent in silence, learning to recognize the voice of God. 

            Mahatma Gandhi set every Monday aside as a day of silence.  He said that he needed the stillness to rest his vocal cords and to promote an inner harmony in his soul amid the turmoil around him.  What was he listening to, I wonder.      The Psalmist says that our soul should wait in silence for God alone.  Only in Him is salvation found.  Jesus Himself often took time alone to talk with and listen to God.  He said that His sheep would recognize His voice.

            I do not often hear the audible voice of God.  Would we recognize it if we heard it?  Our days are filled with cell phones ringing and stereos playing and televisions blaring.  We need to find some silence to learn to hear and recognize the voice of God.  He can only lead us if we are following His voice.  He can only use us as we are willing to follow His direction. 

            The voice of God can lead us if we are willing to follow.  It can save us if we are willing to respond.  The voice of God can change us.  We must be willing to listen.