May 1, 2025
READ: 1 Kings 19 (Focus vs. 8-14)
MEMORY VERSE
“After the fire came a gentle whisper.” 1 Kings 19:12
BACKGROUND
In the early twentieth century, New York City had become a noisy place. With an overhead train, cars, trolleys, newsboys yelling, and people rushing around—life was loud! Yet, one day at Broadway and 34th Street, a man named Charles Kellogg declared to his friend, “Listen, I hear a cricket.”
“Impossible,” his friend answered. “With all this racket, you couldn’t hear a tiny sound like that.” Yet Mr. Kellogg insisted and eventually found the cricket, chirping in the window of a bakery.
“What astonishing hearing you have,” his friend proclaimed. “Not at all,” Mr. Kellogg replied. “It’s a matter of where you focus your attention.”
Elijah was a prophet of God who’d just seen Him perform an amazing display of His power, but now the prophet was hiding in a cave for fear of the pagan queen (1 Kings 19:1-9). This time, however, God didn’t want to communicate in a powerful way.
Even though He had sent a great wind, an earthquake, and even a roaring fire (vv. 11-12), it was time now for Elijah to commune with God personally and quietly. God wanted to speak to the prophet in “a gentle whisper” (v. 12).
Today, there’s a surplus of noise in our lives, yet God still speaks in a quiet voice through the Scriptures and by His Spirit. Taking time to prayerfully focus our attention on God will help us tune in to His comforting, guiding voice.
Brent Hackett
INSIGHT
Some scholars believe that in 1 Kings 19, Elijah was suffering from depression. He was weary after three and a half hard years of ministry, the events on Mount Carmel, and his flight from the wrath of Jezebel. But notice how kindly God cares for his discouraged servant.
He gives Elijah rest to compensate for his fatigue and then provides him with food to restore his strength (vv. 5-7). Later, God would continue His care for him by assigning him new tasks to focus on—anointing kings and training Elisha (vv. 15-18).
Today, as we serve God, we can listen for His voice and receive His compassionate care.
Bill Crowder
APPLICATION
What noises are crowding in on your life? How can you listen for God’s voice in your busy world?
*PR’s (Pastor Richard) RE-EMPHASIS (From Today’s Post)
“Today, there’s a surplus of noise in our lives, yet God still speaks in a quiet voice through the Scriptures and by His Spirit.”
PR’s TAKE
“You will never reach your destination if you stop and throw stones at every dog that barks” Winston Churchill
PRAYER
“Dear Father, I thank You that I can listen for Your Spirit to speak to me quietly.”
TODAY’S HYMN/WORSHIP/PRAISE/GOSPEL SONG
“MASTER SPEAK THY SERVANT HEARETH”
Master, speak! Thy servant heareth,
Waiting for thy gracious word,
Longing for Thy voice that cheereth,
Master, let it now be heard.
I am list’ning, Lord, for Thee;
What hast Thou to say to me?
Speak to me by name, O Master,
Let me know it is to me;
Speak, that I may follow faster,
With a step more firm and free,
Where the Shepherd leads the flock,
In the shadow of the Rock!
Master, speak! tho’ least and lowest,
Let me not unheard depart;
Master, speak! for oh, Thou knowest
All the yearning of my heart,
Knowest all its truest need;
Speak! and make me blest indeed.
Master, speak! and make me ready,
When thy voice is truly heard,
With obedience glad and steady,
Still to follow ev’ry word.
I am listening, Lord, for Thee:
Master, speak, oh speak to me!
