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Bible story · 1 Kings 19:1–18
The Still Small Voice
Read it yourself in the King James Bible: 1 Kings 19:1–18 ↗
“And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.”
1 Kings 19:12 (KJV)The Story
Elijah had just seen one of the greatest victories in the Bible. On Mount Carmel, God sent fire from heaven, and the rain returned after three and a half years. But then Queen Jezebel sent him a message: by this time tomorrow, you’re dead.
And Elijah ran. He fled a day’s journey into the wilderness, collapsed under a juniper tree, and asked God to let him die. “It is enough,” he said. Then he fell asleep.
God didn’t scold him. He sent an angel who touched him and said, “Arise and eat.” There was warm bread and a jar of water. Elijah ate, slept again, and the angel came a second time: “The journey is too great for thee.”
Strengthened, Elijah traveled forty days to Mount Horeb and hid in a cave. God told him to stand on the mountain. A mighty wind tore the rocks apart, but the Lord wasn’t in the wind. Then an earthquake, but God wasn’t in the earthquake. Then a fire, but God wasn’t in the fire. And after the fire came a still small voice, a gentle whisper. That’s where God was.
Reflection
Even great men of faith hit bottom. And when Elijah did, God’s first answer wasn’t a sermon. It was a meal and a nap. Sometimes the most spiritual thing you can do is rest and eat.
More Bible stories from 1 Kings. More about: Fear and Courage · Hearing God’s Voice · Doubt · Elijah
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Day 11 of Book 1
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