Daily Devotionals
Tuesday, October 29, 2024 (Aminta)
I sent this to a warrior friend who has been battling for a long time. May it encourage this amazing group of ladies too:
This weekend I was weary- physically, emotionally, and spiritually. I had a huge week and it took everything I had, so by the weekend I was an empty vessel.
In my quiet time, I spent many hours researching the story of Elijah the prophet…mostly because I had seen a meme that said: “Remember that time Elijah wanted to quit on life and God gave him a nap and snack and he got better?” Well, I was like… “I need God to give me a nap and a snack. I am a mess!”
So I read about Elijah’s moment of discouragement and the story is actually incredible. Elijah performs a huge miracle and it displays God’s power, however, it does not change the hard hearts of the people. In fact, the Queen actually threatens his life. Elijah bottoms out and runs away to the wilderness.
After a nap and snack (that part is true!), God brought Elijah on a 40 day journey thru the wilderness to Mount Sinai… to the same place where Moses had gotten to experience the glory of God’s presence. God hid Moses in the rock and passed by, revealing who he was.
Elijah goes to the same place as Moses did on the mountain, (to the same rock!) and has his own experience with God’s presence.
1 Kings 19:11-13 tells us what happened:
"Go out and stand before me on the mountain," the LORD told him. And as Elijah stood there, the LORD passed by, and a mighty windstorm hit the mountain. It was such a terrible blast that the rocks were torn loose, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake.
And after the earthquake there was a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire there was the sound of a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave.”
When God comes to Elijah, he’s NOT in some huge miraculous display of his power. Instead, his Spirit shows up and it’s in the silence.
God was showing Elijah the secret to being renewed and to facing the battles: in the quiet moments with his Spirit, listening for his gentle voice.
Elijah immediately covers his face in humility and reverence to God and it’s a turning point for him. He’s encountered Yahweh. After that, God gives him a new mission and encourages him that his work is not in vain. Elijah is renewed and sets off for home.
This story helped my weary heart today and I’m hoping it can encourage you too… if you should find you need it. God’s presence is in the whisper of the silence and there is a place in the rock for you to hide so you can be in his presence. Our Great God understands when we get worn out and defeated, and he ministers to us there.
If you can, spend some time alone and in the quiet with him today. He can and will renew your heart and mind.
Heavenly Father,
You alone are worthy. You are a great God beyond comparison.
You see everyone on earth and you hold it all in your all-powerful hands.
I know you see my weary heart and body.
I humbly pray for you to bring me to the rock. Hide me in the secret place and show me your glorious presence. Let me hear your still, quiet voice that I may be renewed in mind, heart, and soul and do the work you have for me to do.
Give me what I need for today.
Amen.
We are better together and we are always here if you need prayer, a hug, or encouragement.
Mint
This weekend I was weary- physically, emotionally, and spiritually. I had a huge week and it took everything I had, so by the weekend I was an empty vessel.
In my quiet time, I spent many hours researching the story of Elijah the prophet…mostly because I had seen a meme that said: “Remember that time Elijah wanted to quit on life and God gave him a nap and snack and he got better?” Well, I was like… “I need God to give me a nap and a snack. I am a mess!”
So I read about Elijah’s moment of discouragement and the story is actually incredible. Elijah performs a huge miracle and it displays God’s power, however, it does not change the hard hearts of the people. In fact, the Queen actually threatens his life. Elijah bottoms out and runs away to the wilderness.
After a nap and snack (that part is true!), God brought Elijah on a 40 day journey thru the wilderness to Mount Sinai… to the same place where Moses had gotten to experience the glory of God’s presence. God hid Moses in the rock and passed by, revealing who he was.
Elijah goes to the same place as Moses did on the mountain, (to the same rock!) and has his own experience with God’s presence.
1 Kings 19:11-13 tells us what happened:
"Go out and stand before me on the mountain," the LORD told him. And as Elijah stood there, the LORD passed by, and a mighty windstorm hit the mountain. It was such a terrible blast that the rocks were torn loose, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake.
And after the earthquake there was a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire there was the sound of a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave.”
When God comes to Elijah, he’s NOT in some huge miraculous display of his power. Instead, his Spirit shows up and it’s in the silence.
God was showing Elijah the secret to being renewed and to facing the battles: in the quiet moments with his Spirit, listening for his gentle voice.
Elijah immediately covers his face in humility and reverence to God and it’s a turning point for him. He’s encountered Yahweh. After that, God gives him a new mission and encourages him that his work is not in vain. Elijah is renewed and sets off for home.
This story helped my weary heart today and I’m hoping it can encourage you too… if you should find you need it. God’s presence is in the whisper of the silence and there is a place in the rock for you to hide so you can be in his presence. Our Great God understands when we get worn out and defeated, and he ministers to us there.
If you can, spend some time alone and in the quiet with him today. He can and will renew your heart and mind.
Heavenly Father,
You alone are worthy. You are a great God beyond comparison.
You see everyone on earth and you hold it all in your all-powerful hands.
I know you see my weary heart and body.
I humbly pray for you to bring me to the rock. Hide me in the secret place and show me your glorious presence. Let me hear your still, quiet voice that I may be renewed in mind, heart, and soul and do the work you have for me to do.
Give me what I need for today.
Amen.
We are better together and we are always here if you need prayer, a hug, or encouragement.
Mint
