Pot Bangers - Pt 2

And he said, “Go out and stand on the mount before the LORD.” And behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper. And when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And behold, there came a voice to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” He said, “I have been very jealous for the LORD, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away.” And the LORD said to him, “Go, return on your way to the wilderness of Damascus. (1 Kings 19:11-15 ESV). What Elijah said to God at the cave in Horeb was no more than the truth, however much he may have been tempted to exaggerate. The evil of the time really was great, and though some true believers did remain in Israel, he really was the only one to take a public stand for the Lord. However, the key is in what God said, not Elijah. What God said to him was first an invitation to put into words what had brought him to this place. God always has the patience and tolerance to listen to the frustrations of his children. God let Elijah bang away at his pot! He did that with Job, Jonah, Moses, and countless others throughout the Scripture. Then, after a mind-blowing experience of tempest and earthquake and fire such as Moses had been given in the same place all those years before, there came what the old translations rightly call a voice: “a still small voice.“ The divine voice was what the prophets of Baal had vainly begged for (18:26, 29), and what now came unbidden to Elijah. And it came not just with the wind, noise, and flame that showed the presence and power of God, but with words that would explain more of his plan. God simply reassured the prophet: “Tell me again, Elijah, your story that so far seems so disappointing. Then I will tell you how it fits into my bigger story. And in that you still have a part to play.” I wonder if you find yourself at a place in your life where you believe you have been forgotten in your circumstance. Perhaps you are at a place of great trial with finances, family, or health. You have banged away just to get someone to listen. Anyone will do, because you have long ago come to believe God wasn’t listening. Well, he is. And He has a message for you. It is one of comfort and direction. Your journey leads to your home. Elijah is going to take a detour. He still has a few things to do; but, God has great plans for him. Those same plans are yours. Jesus is the proof of that!