“Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the L ORD of hosts. “ -Zechariah 4:6

1 Kings 19:9-18; Psalm 29; John 10:1-18, 27

1 Kings 19: There he came to a cave and lodged in it. And behold, the word of the L ORD came to him, and he said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 10 He said, “I have been very jealous for the L ORD, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away.” 11 And he said, “Go out and stand on the mount before the L ORD.” And behold, the L ORD passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the

1 Kings 19:9-18 mountains and broke in pieces the rocks before the L ORD, but the L ORD was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the L ORD was not in the earthquake. 12 And after the earthquake a fire, but the L ORD was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper. 13 And when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And behold, there came a voice to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” 14 He said, “I have been very jealous for the L ORD, the God of

1 Kings 19:9-18 hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away.” 15 And the L ORD said to him, “Go, return on your way to the wilderness of Damascus. And when you arrive, you shall anoint Hazael to be king over Syria. 16 And Jehu the son of Nimshi you shall anoint to be king over Israel, and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah you shall anoint to be prophet in your place.

1 Kings 19: And the one who escapes from the sword of Hazael shall Jehu put to death, and the one who escapes from the sword of Jehu shall Elisha put to death. 18 Yet I will leave seven thousand in Israel, all the knees that have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him.”

Listening For God  God’s voice is recorded in Scripture through several mediums from thunder to storms to fire.  But here, His voice comes in the stillness after all those things. It required an extra focus by the prophet to hear God.  Being able to hear His still, small voice in the midst of such noise is a challenge we face everyday in this consumer culture.

Psalm 29 A P SALM OF D AVID. 1 Ascribe to the L ORD, O heavenly beings, ascribe to the L ORD glory and strength. 2 Ascribe to the L ORD the glory due his name; worship the L ORD in the splendor of holiness. 3 The voice of the L ORD is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the L ORD, over many waters. 4 The voice of the L ORD is powerful; the voice of the L ORD is full of majesty. 5 The voice of the L ORD breaks the cedars; the L ORD breaks the cedars of Lebanon.

Psalm 29 6 He makes Lebanon to skip like a calf, and Sirion like a young wild ox. 7 The voice of the L ORD flashes forth flames of fire. 8 The voice of the L ORD shakes the wilderness; the L ORD shakes the wilderness of Kadesh. 9 The voice of the L ORD makes the deer give birth and strips the forests bare, and in his temple all cry, “Glory!” 10 The L ORD sits enthroned over the flood; the L ORD sits enthroned as king forever. 11 May the L ORD give strength to his people! May the L ORD bless his people with peace!

Overwhelming Power  God’s voice is powerful and majestic. He can do things with His voice.  He created the universe. All of creation physically responds to His presence and voice.  His voice is powerful because He is all- powerful. He accomplishes many things without even having to lift a finger!

John 10:1-6; 14-16, 27 1 “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber. 2 But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.

John 10:1-6; 14-16, 27 5 A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.” 6 This figure of speech Jesus used with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them.

John 10:1-6; 14-16, I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. 27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.

Hear and Obey  The words for “hear” and “obey” in Greek are part of the same word family. This means that it is expected that we obey if we hear what is said.  “Let the one who has an ear hear what the Spirit says…”  God can speak through an audible voice, through His Word, the Bible, through the Holy Spirit’s prompting and leading, and even through other people and circumstances.  Always make sure that whatever is said with His authority is backed up by Scripture and confirmed!