Five Stories From Elijah’s Life
And behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces 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 not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice. 1 Kings 19:11-12
Raising a child from the dead, witnessing fire from heaven and the proving of nine hundred fifty false prophets wrong, outrunning an army chariot: one might think that Elijah should be set for life when it comes to encouragement. But no, even he grew discouraged.
Just then, the LORD had His servant witness something incredible: wind strong enough to shatter large rocks, a tremendous earthquake, a raging fire! God sent all these things, a picture of His almighty, wrathful power. Certainly, all this should convince people, but, as the Bible puts it, God was “not in” the wind, fire, or earthquake. This wrathful might was not what would save Israel. That salvation would come in the still small voice of God’s good news, the very thing that could create faith in the hearts of Israel.
Elijah was assured of this once more, giving him new strength to carry on. And so it is with you and I. Often it may seem like nothing can convince your family, your friends, or the entire nation that Jesus and His word are true and that He is the only way to salvation. Arguments and reasoning, even so powerful as to break rock into pieces, is not what convinces the heart of salvation. That comes in the still small voice of the Gospel. That sweet Gospel, the message of sins forgiven by Jesus’ perfect life and innocent death, is what will create faith. It’s what strengthens all Christians during times of doubt, just as it did with Elijah.
Word of the ever-living God,
Will of His glorious Son;
Without thee, how could earth be trod
Or heaven itself be won?
The Lutheran Hymnal 291:4