Hearing The Still Small Voice

HEARING THE STILL SMALL VOICE

1 Kgs. 19:3-13,18 NKJV

INTRODUCTION

A. SAVED BY GOD’S VOICE

1. Peter Marshall was a pastor who became Chaplain for the U.S. Senate. As a young man of 21, living in Scotland, he was returning from work one starless night. He was traveling by foot through a dangerous section of the Scottish moors where there are limestone quarries. It was so dark he couldn’t see his hand in front of his face, but he felt confident he could avoid the quarry.

2. As he slowly moved in the darkness, he heard a voice say, “Peter.” He answered, “Who is there?” No one answered. He took a few more steps and heard the voice again, “Peter!” He sensed it was God calling to him. He fell to his knees and said “yes” to God.

3. After praying, he reached forward to push himself off the ground – but there was nothing there but air! He was literally on the edge of a deep quarry! If he had stepped even one more step, it would have meant certain death. God saved him by speaking to him! [A Man Called Peter, Catherine Marshall]

4. Today we’re going to read about another man who was restored by the voice of God.

B. TEXT

3 And when Elijah [heard Jezebel’s threat], he arose and ran for his life...4 and sat down under a broom tree and he prayed that he might die...5 Then...an angel touched him, and said to him, “Arise and eat.” 8 So he arose, and ate and drank; and he went in the strength of that food 40 days and 40 nights as far as Horeb, the mountain of God. 9 And there he went into a cave, and spent the night in that place; and behold, the word of the Lord came to him....11 “Go out, and stand on the mountain before the Lord.” And behold...a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces 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; 12 and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice. 13 So it was, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood in the entrance of the cave. [God gave him 3 assignments, then told him...] 18 Yet I reserve 7,000 in Israel—all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal and all whose mouths have not kissed him.” 1 Kgs. 19:3-13,18

C. THESIS

1. We're looking at a believer who became discouraged and see how God let him know he wasn’t alone, and restored his fight!

2. The title is “Hearing the Still Small Voice.”

I. ELIJAH’S DISCOURAGEMENT

A. ELIJAH’S GREAT FEATS

1. Stopped the rain for 3 1/2 years.

2. Was supernaturally provided for during famine.

3. Called down fire from heaven on the sacrifice.

4. Killed the 450 prophets of Baal.

5. Prayed down the rain again.

B. BUT ELIJAH BECAME DISCOURAGED

1. ELIJAH HAD HOPED FOR REVIVAL

a. Elijah had given his all & expected the nation would give up idolatry, turn to God and experience a revival.

b. But Jezebel controlled Ahab, and Ahab the nation. So the idols would safely sit on their pedestals.

c. Elijah felt like the only person still left serving the Lord! “I am the only one left [still serving the Lord], and now they are trying to kill me too.” (Vs. 14).

2. YOU MAY FEEL LIKE GIVING UP THE GOOD FIGHT OF FAITH:

a. Stress/pressures can rob us of our will-power.

b. We may be the only Christian in our family or on our job. Our efforts to win others may seem fruitless.

c. Our prayers may seem to go unanswered for a long time, causing us to lose faith and feel like giving up the fight.

3. What did Elijah do when he felt like this?

II. ELIJAH SOUGHT GOD IN HIS TROUBLES

A. HE WENT TO THE MOUNTAIN OF GOD!

1. THE PLACE WHERE GOD MET WITH MOSES

a. Burning Bush -- Exodus 3:1.

b. Rock Smitten & water poured out – Ex. 17:6.

c. Law/ 10 Commands Given – Ex. 20:1-.

2. Where do we go when we’re in trouble?

a. Do we reach for the Pill Bottle or for the Bible? Head for the refrigerator or the altar?

b. You call the prayer chain, but do YOU pray? There's no substitute for getting alone with God yourself!

3. GO BACK TO THE PLACE OF YOUR ORIGINAL REVELATION OF JESUS! God is the same God. Go back to the Gospels, the Book of Acts -- back to the FUNDAMENTALS: prayer, Bible reading, worship, regular meetings with other believers in church, witnessing, etc.