Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room
Feb. 11, 2025
1 Kings 19:11-15
11 The LORD said, “Go out and stand at the mountain before the LORD. The LORD is passing by.” A very strong wind tore through the mountains and broke apart the stones before the LORD. But the LORD wasn’t in the wind. After the wind, there was an earthquake. But the LORD wasn’t in the earthquake. 12 After the earthquake, there was a fire. But the LORD wasn’t in the fire. After the fire, there was a sound. Thin. Quiet. 13 When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his coat. He went out and stood at the cave’s entrance. A voice came to him and said, “Why are you here, Elijah?” 14 He said, “I’ve been very passionate for the LORD God of heavenly forces because the Israelites have abandoned your covenant. They have torn down your altars, and they have murdered your prophets with the sword. I’m the only one left, and now they want to take my life too.” 15 The LORD said to him, “Go back through the desert to Damascus and anoint Hazael as king of Aram.
Good Morning. Surely the presence of the Lord is in this place!
Elijah feels alone. He is trying to do what God has called him to do, but evil is attacking from all sides. He decides to run away and hide. In his despair, he prays to the Lord to let him die. He is visited twice by an angel of the Lord who advises him to prepare for a journey. Elijah does as instructed and travels to Mount Horeb.
In verse ten, God asks Elijah why he is here, and he tells his story. He uses the exact words that we read in vs. 14. God calls him to stand where he can see the Lord pass by. Next, God shows him the power through the wind, the earthquake, and the fire. God is showing Elijah the power that fills God’s chosen ones so that he will embrace the strength within himself, and he goes to complete God’s work.
All of this is followed by absolute quiet, and then God speaks. We live in a noisy world full of turmoil and chaos. Some choose to shout over the noise, but they are rarely heard. Their message is swallowed up and perverted as others try to discern its meaning. God does not compete with our earthly distractions but creates a liminal space in which we are ready and available to listen.
God’s words are not new, but we often need to be reminded. God loves us—that's the bottom line! God is with us now and forevermore. Love God and Love Your Neighbor. Stand strong even when you feel that you are the only one remaining. In our aloneness, God surrounds us with a great cloud of witness so that we may not falter as we embrace and use the power of the Holy Spirit within us.
Loving Lord, Maker of all things! You love us! Even when we feel alone, you are with us to show us the way. Thank you! In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen
Thought for the day: Pay attention to the movement of the Holy Spirit within you.
Spend time with God! Pastor Liz
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