SOUND, FURY, AND A WHISPER!

Friday, April 24, 2020

SOUND, FURY, AND A WHISPER!

1 Kings 19:10-12

10 And he said, I have been very jealous for the Lord God of hosts: for the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy 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 forth, and stand upon the mount before the Lord. And, behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks 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:

12 And after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.

           Elijah was in such a continually contentious conflict that he thought only of himself as his source of strength. That strength was fading fast and he knew it. He felt alone in his endeavors and his soul needed a demonstration of God’s power. God responded dramatically – but God was not IN the drama. He was only the producer and director of the play.

           Some larger churches are bemoaning the drastic change that this pandemic will bring to their ministries. Some are wringing their hands to add various things to their systems of worship to satisfy the new expectations of their attendees. But God is not necessarily in the lights, the sounds, and the fury that make up modern worship. Shakespeare’s Macbeth put it this way:

Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow,

Creeps in this petty pace from day to day,

To the last syllable of recorded time;

And all our yesterdays have lighted fools

The way to dusty death. Out, out, brief candle!

Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player,

That struts and frets his hour upon the stage,

And then is heard no more. It is a tale

Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,

Signifying nothing.

           I think the most important aspects of worship are Father, Family, and Faith. Without the fellowship of the Father all we have is mountain rending wind! Without the community of Family (church family), we have no confirmation of our creeds. Without Faith, it is impossible to please God.

           Our enemy is invisible. It is important to hear our God when He whispers.

1 Cor 13:1

13 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.

Dear Lord, it is quiet now, but this day may increase in clang and clatter. Help me to hear your still, small voice. AMEN