160 The Still Small Voice of God A Guided Christian Meditation on 19:11-13

158 The Still Small Voice of God A Christian Meditation on 1 Kings 19:11-13

I’m Chaplain Jared and I work as a hospice chaplain and an ICU chaplain, my purpose in making this podcast is to help you find more peace in your life and to be more open for your heart to be changed by the Spirit of God.  By using centuries old form of Christian Meditation named Lectio Divina:

Outline: Relaxation, Reading, Meditation, Prayer, Contemplation and Visualization.

Get into a place where you can sit comfortably and uninterrupted for about 20 minutes.You should hopefully not be driving or anything tensing or unrelaxing.  If you feel comfortable to do so, I invite you to close your eyes.

Guided Relaxation / Guided Meditation:

Breathe and direct your thoughts to contacting God. Let your stomach be a balloon inflate, deflate.

Bible verses for Meditation:

1 Kings 19:11-13

NIV 

11 The Lord said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.”

Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. 1

12 After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. 

13 When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave.

KJV

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.

13 And it was so, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave. And, behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here, Elijah?

Meditation on Scripture:  

When we turn to God it is often in desperation. Something happens to remind us of our need of Him. Sometimes we realize a distance between Him and us and we may with to bridge it. As we find ourselves in this state of deep spiritual need we often reach out to God for guidance and comfort. We may even approach Him with faith asking for him to do some grand gesture for us to make sure we know when He answers us.

Elijah was a prophet of God in the Old Testament, long before the birth of Jesus. He was serving the Lord faithfully and had commanded incredible miracles to be done. One of which involved the fire of heaven coming down to consume the enemies of the prophet. This did not go over well with the earthly government and they were trying to kill Him. He escaped into a cave in the mountains as he prayed. He was seeking the guidance and blessing of God. He wanted an answer regarding what he was to do. As someone who had seen the fire from heaven, he knew God could be mighty and command the elements.  Finally he received an answer “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by”

There was a catastrophic set of things that happened, yet this was not God’s answer. What his answer was came in the form of a gentle whispering. I think this is an important thing that we can encourage and foster inside of ourselves. I anticipate that this is the most frequent way in which we receive guidance from God. A gentle prick of our conscience, a gentle warmth of having our faith corroborated.  As you seek God and His answers for your life remember this lesson. You don’t have to wait until you receive some profound sign or test of your faith. You can allow it to steadily and constantly grow by increased intimacy. We need to practice listening to this small whisper of the Spirit for there are the beginnings of the mysteries of God. 

Meditation of Prayer:

Pray as directed by the Spirit.

Dedicate these moments to the patient waiting, when you feel ready ask God for understanding you desire from Him.

Meditation of God and His Glory / Hesychasm:

I invite you to sit in silence feeling being patient for your own faults and trials.  

Summarize what insights you have gained during this meditation and meditate and visualize positive change in your life:

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Updates:

Final Question:

Do you need to understand your hardship?

Final Thought:  

 

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