Still Small Voice

Just how many verses in the Bible say, "God spoke to..." a person? Have you ever wondered just how God spoke to them? We know that He spoke to Moses through a burning bush, He had to get Moses attention first. There have been times He had to get my attention first also, but usually the times that He speaks to me, is when I get by myself, get in the right frame of mind and then start talking to Him first. I remember one time, I was driving down the road and started thinking about a major problem we were facing. It had been weighing heavily on my heart, so I started praying again. This time though, I was actually expecting God to do something, instead of just going through the motions. After a couple of minutes of constant praying, I heard this still small voice, in my right ear, that said "Calm down, don't worry I am taking care of it, just have a little patience". Sure enough a couple of weeks later the solution to our problems was in our mail box.
However, this devotion is not about God answering prayer, it's about that still small voice, and it's effect on us. This voice is first mentioned in 1 Kings 19:11-12 this start out with God speaking to Elijah, "And He said, Go forth and stand upon the mount before the LORD. And behold the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks 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; And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was no in the fire; and after the fire a STILL SMALL VOICE." How many times do we look for God in the big things, and He is not there? First Elijah obeyed and went to the mount, but then this horrible wind causing all kinds of destruction, then a earthquake, then a fire. Here was Elijah, waiting on God, and all that he could see around him was destruction. Can you imagine Elijah thinking, "Boy did I make a mistake coming here, I'm going to die." But, when the time was right, (God's time not ours), there was God. Ever wonder why He chooses a still small voice and not some great display? I don't know about you, but that voice is very comforting. Just knowing that God is making Himself known to me in such a loving way, calms all fears, quiets all storms, and quenches any fires. The reason for this is found in Phil. 4:7 "the peace that passeth all understanding". There have been a couple of times in my life I experienced this peace, and there is no way to describe it. But, it always happened at those times, I heard that small voice. In 1 Cor. 14:33 we find out that God is the author of peace, He created peace when there was no peace. If He created it, then gives it to us, it can only be perfect peace. A peace that man can not obtain on his own.
"In thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore", Ps 16:11b. David was singing to God, and acknowledged that the only way to be truly happy is to be in God's presence. The Spirit of God is everywhere, the Spirit of God is with us all the time, however there are times, when God the Father Himself comes down to bless us with His presence. These are the times that are most comforting.
A couple of weeks ago I talked about the Shekinah Glory of God's presence, and how it made the house shake. Even then I believe those that were expecting God to come down were at complete peace. Just think about being in the presence of God's power, God's love, God's wisdom and tell me that it would not comfort you, and I'll tell you to get your heart right with God. Rev. 3:20 "Behold, I stand at the door and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him and he with Me". Notice the word "Behold", very important word, if you see it then you know to pay attention. If we hear God's voice, and we open the door and let Him in, He promises to come in, sit down and eat a meal with us. Praise God, I've got a roast cooking right now.
The presence of God in my life, what can I say about it? Those times when the Father came and spoke to me, were the most comforting times in my life. That feeling is addictive. Think about a small child, wakes up in the middle of the night, hearing a noise, and thinks it's a monster in the closet. So she start's screaming for her daddy. He runs into the room, turns on the light, sits down on the bed, and takes her in his arms, holding her tightly to his chest. She feels his strong arms around her, feels the slow rhythm of his heart, and smells his familiar odor, and instantly she is calm. She knows she is safe, her daddy is invincible, and he is not scared so why should she be. How much more should we be comforted when our Heavenly Father wraps His arms around us, and whispers in our ear, "Peace, be still".