Opus 2012-135, Tangent Times Two

I was again listening to Alistair Begg.  He quoted a verse and the quote sounded strange to me.  He referred to the spring that cannot produce both fresh water and salt water. 

Tangent Warning!  Tangent Warning! 

At this point my mind wandered off as it has a habit of doing.  Something did not sound right in his reference.  I didn’t remember it as being salt water, but bitter water.  I left myself a note on my recorder so I could check it out later and got back to listening.

Tangent Warning!  Tangent Warning! 

Yes, again.  This reminds me again of the value of allowing your mind to wander as you listen and read.  We are taught that we need to focus and pay attention.  Okay, I accept that but the Holy Spirit is constantly trying to get through to us and make us think.  When you are in a situation where your mental or spiritual radar perks up, don’t ignore it.  It may be the Holy Spirit.

Why does He speak to me when I am in the middle of a sermon?  Maybe because that is the time when I am most focused on listening.  Maybe the middle of my golf swing is not the time I am most receptive.  I grew up hearing about the “still small voice.”  It was a reference to the way in which God speaks quietly to our hearts.  I did a search and could only find this phrase in one place, in one translation.

Elijah was hiding in a cave and feeling sorry for himself.  God had a lesson to teach him.

(1 Kings 19:11-12 KJV)  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:  And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.

Notice that God caused all kinds of mighty wonders to take place.  It is clear that God was causing them and Elijah seemed to understand that.  But notice the last part, the “still small voice.”  To this Elijah responded and heard.

(1 Kings 19:13 KJV)  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?

As I write I am in Pennsylvania and a thunder storm is passing over.  God can speak that way.  I have had experiences where I have almost been killed in traffic.  God can speak that way.  But to be honest, the times that God speaks most clearly and in a way that I remember are in those quiet times when I can allow my mind to follow His “still small voice.”

Next post I will get back to my original tangent.

homo unius libri