Devotion:
One of the main goals of this time of fasting is to invite God to speak and lead us by his Spirit. 1 Kings 19 gives us a beautiful picture of what that can look like. Elijah had just witnessed one of the most dramatic displays of God’s power in Scripture: fire fell from heaven on a water-soaked altar, proving that the Lord alone is God and exposing the prophets of Baal. But soon after, Queen Jezebel threatened his life, and Elijah ran into the wilderness – exhausted, afraid, and deeply discouraged.
When God asked him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” Elijah answered honestly: “I have been very zealous for the Lord God Almighty… I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.” God did not immediately correct him. He did not begin by saying, “Actually, Elijah, you are wrong. You are not alone.” Instead, God met him with tenderness. He led Elijah to the mountain, where a powerful wind, an earthquake, and fire passed before him. But God was not in any of those. Then came a gentle whisper. It was like a holy embrace and a gentle reminder that said: “I see you. I love you. I am with you.”
Elijah didn’t need another reminder of God’s power- he needed a reminder of his nearness. Then, after a moment of encounter and connection, God spoke and answered Elijah’s question. He explained that he was not actually alone- there were many still following the Lord, and then led him to meet Elisha, who would walk alongside him in his next season of ministry. This passage shows us that when we are honest with God, He responds. He may speak to us through a quiet prompting, a thought that comes to mind, through Scripture, through creation, through our surroundings, or a next step of obedience. Our role is to simply come honestly before Him, invite Him to speak, test what comes to mind against Scripture, and follow where He leads.
Scripture:
“The Lord said, ‘Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.’
Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave.
Then a voice said to him, ‘What are you doing here, Elijah?’”
1 Kings 19:11–13 NIV
Prayer:
Be honest with God today. In your journal or in your thoughts, bring Him something you are struggling with or a question you have. Then ask, “Lord, is there anything You want to say to me?” Pay attention to any Scripture, thought, picture, phrase, or gentle prompting that comes to mind. Write it down, test it against Scripture, ask God for confirmation if needed, and then take one small step of obedience.