This week in Advent represents peace. Commonly in this time
the busyness of the season can easily overwhelm even the bravest of souls. This
week I have written about the Holy
Silence and how crucial time alone—in quiet contemplation is to our
relationship with God.
You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are
steadfast, because they trust in you (Isaiah 26:3 NASB).
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your
ways my ways," declares the LORD (Isaiah 55:8 NASB).
The hectic Christmas season finds it hard to have that time
alone with the Lord, but we must make time. It is life; oxygen. I think many
times of Elijah and His relationship with the Lord, and how the Lord spoke to
Him.
And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before
the Lord. And, behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and
strong wind rent the mountains, and brake 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 a still
small voice. And it was so, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in
his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave. And,
behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here, Elijah? (I
Kings 19: 13-14 KJV).
The wind and fire of the season; shopping, wrapping,
cooking, family, can make it feel at times that the earth is going to open and
swallow you whole. But the whisper of the Lord’s still, small voice will blow
peace into your spirit and refresh your soul—but only if we meet with Him.
Elijah believed that he was the only prophet left standing; he was hiding in a
cave from Ahab and Jezebel and succumbed to depression. We have all been there. But God is
standing outside the cave asking us what we are doing. Why are we so downcast
and in despair when the Lord is near— even by our side? We need to nourish our
quiet contemplation with the Lord to renew our minds.
And he said, I have been very jealous for the Lord God
of hosts: because the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown
down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only,
am left; and they seek my life, to take it away (v. 14 KJV).
The Lord assures Elijah that he is not alone and others have
not given in to the culture and hostility to God’s people (look at today’s
headlines), and have not bowed their knee. We need to nourish our quiet
contemplation with the Lord to renew our minds and to encourage us.
For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to
instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ (I Corinthians
2:16 ESV my emphasis).
The Lord questioned Elijah as to why he was hiding in the
cave when He had a purpose and plan to fulfill. The Lord then gave Elijah a one
word mandate:
And the Lord said unto him, Go (v.15).
Go. Don’t stay in this discouragement and despair. Prepare
your heart to receive the newborn King. Spread His message of Hope, Peace, Joy
and Love. He enables us to spread the Gospel in our quiet time with Him. What
has He spoken to you this week?
To read the entire Advent Journal click here:
My Scribbling...
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