THE STILL SMALL VOICE

January 2009 article by Len Iles

The world often seems to be chaotic, with people rushing around and worrying about so many things. Yet what we forget is that God never promised us a smooth ride. Indeed there are passages in the Bible that say God will test us. James chapter 1 verses 2 and 3 say: “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance”.

Of course, while things are going wrong we don’t immediately think that this is to increase our faith but sometimes when we look back we see that God has helped us to overcome whatever trial it was. So if we are to be helped, we must have faith. How do we get this faith? Well, the Bible has an answer for everything – “Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ”. (Romans 10 v 17). The words of God, the prophets and our Lord Jesus Christ have been miraculously preserved through many thousands of years and translated into all languages so that we can be given structure to our lives, know how to live fulfilling lives, how to help others and above all how to be given life for ever in a renewed and perfect world – so much different from that of today.

December has been a difficult month for many, with major stores closing, the ‘credit crunch’ affecting people who thought their jobs and lifestyle were safe, the loss of loved ones, and so many in other parts of the world suffering from war and its consequences – food shortages, homes destroyed and so on. But this will not always be the case and the Bible gives those with faith in God hope for the future. Luke 21 verses 25 and 26 say: “There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. Men will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, but the heavenly bodies will be shaken”.

This passage is referred to frequently in these Signs of the Times series and it sums up what is happening today. Regular readers of the Bible know that some passages can be taken literally or figuratively and this is one example. Figuratively it refers to a period of great uncertainty and instability. However, literally there are indeed some more unusual weather patterns than there used to be with so-called ‘global warming’. There is more on this in the August 2008 article in this series. The July 2008 article gives the antidote to the problem – see the last paragraph.

So what about the title of this article? In the first book of Kings chapter 19, we read in verses 9 to 13 about a man called Elijah who was being tested by God. He was trying to escape but as God knows all things He knew where Elijah was and showed him that sometimes He could be revealed in a whisper, not just in earthquakes and fires as quoted in the passage. So it is in our world today. The land where this occurred so many thousands of years ago is in turmoil. Both Israel and Hamas are bombing each other and peace seems so far off. God will not, however, allow this to continue for we are promised that there will be a kingdom where there will be no pain and suffering and where there will only be peace and harmony. This thread of the ‘still, small voice’ that Elijah heard runs through both Old and New Testaments in the Bible and culminates in the return of our Lord Jesus Christ to set up this Kingdom and rule as its King. Read God’s word, the Bible, for yourselves to hear the voice. Obey its commands so that you too could look forward to the time quoted in Revelation 21 verses 3 and 4 –

“... Now the dwelling of God is with men, and He will live with them. They will be His people and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

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