August 7, 2005
Whispers 1 Kgs 19:9a, 11-13a
At the mountain of God, Horeb, Elijah came to a cave where he took shelter. Then the LORD said to him, "Go outside and stand on the mountain before the LORD; the LORD will be passing by." A strong and heavy wind was rending the mountains and crushing 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 there was fire-- but the LORD was not in the fire.
After the fire there was a tiny whispering sound. When he heard this, Elijah hid his face in his cloak and went and stood at the entrance of the cave.
God did not come in a mighty powerful form and sign but in the form of a tiny whispering sound. Elijah the prophet knew that this was in fact the Lord. He hid his face from the Lord and went and stood at the entrance of the cave to listen to the Lord who was in the form of a whisper.
Mt 14:22-33 After he had fed the people, Jesus made the disciples get into a boatand precede him to the other side,while he dismissed the crowds. After doing so, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When it was evening he was there alone. Meanwhile the boat, already a few miles offshore,was being tossed about by the waves, for the wind was against it. During the fourth watch of the night,he came toward them walking on the sea. When the disciples saw him walking on the sea they were terrified. "It is a ghost," they said, and they cried out in fear. At once Jesus spoke to them, "Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid." Peter said to him in reply,"Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water." He said, "Come."Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on the water toward Jesus. But when he saw how strong the wind was he became frightened;and, beginning to sink, he cried out, "Lord, save me!" Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand and caught Peter,and said to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?" After they got into the boat, the wind died down. Those who were in the boat did him homage, saying,"Truly, you are the Son of God."
The message to Peter is to have faith, do not be afraid. Peter is unafraid until he hears the wind that is strong. It is when he is frightened that he begins to sink. Before that, he is walking on the water toward Jesus. Jesus immediately stretched out his hand and caught Peter. Those who were in the boat and saw all of this understood that Jesus was the Son of God.
As a follower of Jesus, I need to remember to listen for the call to come which may take many forms including a little whisper. Once I am following that call, I need to keep my eyes on Jesus and not allow anything I see or hear to frighten me. At anytime and anyplace, Christ is present within arms reach to stretch out his hand to me. I need to remain steadfast and not give in to fear or doubt.
At the mountain of God, Horeb, Elijah came to a cave where he took shelter. Then the LORD said to him, "Go outside and stand on the mountain before the LORD; the LORD will be passing by." A strong and heavy wind was rending the mountains and crushing 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 there was fire-- but the LORD was not in the fire.
After the fire there was a tiny whispering sound. When he heard this, Elijah hid his face in his cloak and went and stood at the entrance of the cave.
God did not come in a mighty powerful form and sign but in the form of a tiny whispering sound. Elijah the prophet knew that this was in fact the Lord. He hid his face from the Lord and went and stood at the entrance of the cave to listen to the Lord who was in the form of a whisper.
Mt 14:22-33 After he had fed the people, Jesus made the disciples get into a boatand precede him to the other side,while he dismissed the crowds. After doing so, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When it was evening he was there alone. Meanwhile the boat, already a few miles offshore,was being tossed about by the waves, for the wind was against it. During the fourth watch of the night,he came toward them walking on the sea. When the disciples saw him walking on the sea they were terrified. "It is a ghost," they said, and they cried out in fear. At once Jesus spoke to them, "Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid." Peter said to him in reply,"Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water." He said, "Come."Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on the water toward Jesus. But when he saw how strong the wind was he became frightened;and, beginning to sink, he cried out, "Lord, save me!" Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand and caught Peter,and said to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?" After they got into the boat, the wind died down. Those who were in the boat did him homage, saying,"Truly, you are the Son of God."
The message to Peter is to have faith, do not be afraid. Peter is unafraid until he hears the wind that is strong. It is when he is frightened that he begins to sink. Before that, he is walking on the water toward Jesus. Jesus immediately stretched out his hand and caught Peter. Those who were in the boat and saw all of this understood that Jesus was the Son of God.
As a follower of Jesus, I need to remember to listen for the call to come which may take many forms including a little whisper. Once I am following that call, I need to keep my eyes on Jesus and not allow anything I see or hear to frighten me. At anytime and anyplace, Christ is present within arms reach to stretch out his hand to me. I need to remain steadfast and not give in to fear or doubt.
posted by Joan Morris at 5:13 AM
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