Though we may not see

I’ve read this story dozens, if not hundreds of times. Today I saw something new.

Here is Elijah, fresh off an incredible victory in which God answered his prayer with literal fire, and people are proclaiming, “The Lord, he is God!”

But now we see him on the run from Jezebel, afraid and discouraged.

He goes to Mount Horeb (also known as Sinai), where Moses had met with God hundreds of years before.

How does God greet him?

“What are you doing here?”

Simply put, “You’re not supposed to be here. Why are you here?”

Elijah then complains that despite all his work, he is the only one left in Israel who is faithful to God.

God then passes by three times, but as he does, his presence is not found in spectacular displays.

Elijah’s eyes are captured by the strong wind, the earthquake, and the fire because they naturally draw one’s eyes.

But God was not in any of them. In focusing on those things, he missed seeing God.

Instead, God was in place where Elijah least expected: in the silence.

Most translations say, “a still small voice.”

But the word can also be translated, “a thin silence.”

The NASB puts it, “a sound of a gentle blowing” and the CEV puts it, “a gentle breeze.”

It makes me think of Jesus’ words concerning the Holy Spirit and his work.

The wind blows where it pleases, and you hear its sound, but you don’t know where it comes from or where it is going.

So it is with everyone born of the Spirit. (John 3:8)

God then tells Elijah to get back to work. And he leaves him with these words of encouragement.

But I will leave seven thousand in Israel—every knee that has not bowed to Baal and every mouth that has not kissed him. (1 Kings 19:18)

Seven thousand are not a lot of people when you consider the millions living in Israel at that time. But I’m not sure that number was meant to be literal.  Seven is a number symbolizing completeness in the Bible.

And so what God was probably saying was, “I have my people here in Israel. And all that are mine will come to me.” (John 6:37)

Here in Japan, Christians pray for revival. And in so praying, many want to see a mighty work which is loud and visible. I would like to see that.

But when we don’t see it, people get discouraged. Many have dropped out of ministry because of it.

But God tells us, “My presence and my work is not always in the loud and visible. Many times, I’m working quietly where you can’t see. Your work is not in vain.

“Even in Japan, I have my people. I know those who are mine.”  (2 Timothy 2:19).

“So get back to work. I will save my people.”