Don't Just Do Something, Stand There
By J.B. Hixson, Ph.D.
08/26/2021
Then He said, “Go out, and stand on the mountain before the LORD.” 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)
Ralph and Margaret were celebrating their golden wedding anniversary—fifty years of love, faithfulness, and joy. All their friends and relatives had gathered for the momentous occasion. At the appointed time, Ralph raised his glass, got everyone’s attention, looked into the eyes of his beloved wife, and said in a warm and devoted toast, "After fifty years I've found you tried and true." Unfortunately, Margaret’s hearing had become rather dull over the years, and she did not understand what he said. “Huh? What d’you say?” she replied. So, he repeated his toast, this time a little bit louder, "After fifty years I've found you tried and true." Margaret still didn’t hear and said, “Speak up, honey, I can’t hear you.” He repeated, this time almost yelling, “AFTER FIFTY YEARS, I’VE FOUND YOU TRIED AND TRUE!” Whereupon Margaret retorted bluntly, “Well, let me tell you something, mister, after fifty years I’m tired of you too!”
Quite often as our years increase, our hearing becomes dull. It becomes more and more difficult to hear. Even the words of those we love and cherish can become undiscernible. The same thing is true spiritually. You may have known the Lord for five years, ten years, twenty years, or even fifty years. Yet perhaps you find it difficult to hear the voice of the Lord. Maybe your spiritual sense of hearing has become dull.
When is the last time you felt the clear, unmistakable direction of the Lord in your life? How long has it been since the Holy Spirit quickened your heart as you read the Word of God, and you knew, without a doubt, that the Lord was speaking to you? Maybe you have been a Christian so long that tradition and the status quo have dulled your sense of hearing. When the Lord speaks to your heart, you have trouble hearing Him because you are out of practice.
Or, perhaps you think that because you have been serving the Lord so long, you no longer need His input and advice. On the other hand, maybe you are so busy doing things for the Lord that you fail to hear His voice speaking to you over the loud, clamoring acts of your Christian service. As a result, you find yourself missing the presence of the Lord in your life when He gently speaks to your heart.
In 1 Kings 19, the Bible records an amazing encounter between Elijah and God. One of the most famous prophets of God, Elijah, had just confronted the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel and witnessed an incredible display of God's power. Nevertheless, he finds himself running scared shortly thereafter from a wicked queen named Jezebel. You would think if there was one person who could hear the voice of the Lord it would be that great prophet, Elijah! But he was so consumed by the mighty demonstrations and miracles of God that He almost missed the voice of the Lord as he sat quivering in fear in a cave. God finally had to grab hold of him and say, "Elijah! Stop. Slow down. Quit doing things for me and just listen to me. Don't just do something, stand there!"
What about you? Have you retreated into a cave of fear? Complacency? Boredom? Business-as-usual? Perhaps it is time to stop for a moment, get alone with the Lord and His Word, and hear what God is trying to tell you. Cry out like David, “Cause me to hear Your lovingkindness in the morning, for in You do I trust; cause me to know the way in which I should walk, for I lift up my soul to You.” (Psalm 143:8) Don’t just do something, stand there. You might just hear that still, small voice of the Lord.
08/26/2021
Then He said, “Go out, and stand on the mountain before the LORD.” 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)
Ralph and Margaret were celebrating their golden wedding anniversary—fifty years of love, faithfulness, and joy. All their friends and relatives had gathered for the momentous occasion. At the appointed time, Ralph raised his glass, got everyone’s attention, looked into the eyes of his beloved wife, and said in a warm and devoted toast, "After fifty years I've found you tried and true." Unfortunately, Margaret’s hearing had become rather dull over the years, and she did not understand what he said. “Huh? What d’you say?” she replied. So, he repeated his toast, this time a little bit louder, "After fifty years I've found you tried and true." Margaret still didn’t hear and said, “Speak up, honey, I can’t hear you.” He repeated, this time almost yelling, “AFTER FIFTY YEARS, I’VE FOUND YOU TRIED AND TRUE!” Whereupon Margaret retorted bluntly, “Well, let me tell you something, mister, after fifty years I’m tired of you too!”
Quite often as our years increase, our hearing becomes dull. It becomes more and more difficult to hear. Even the words of those we love and cherish can become undiscernible. The same thing is true spiritually. You may have known the Lord for five years, ten years, twenty years, or even fifty years. Yet perhaps you find it difficult to hear the voice of the Lord. Maybe your spiritual sense of hearing has become dull.
When is the last time you felt the clear, unmistakable direction of the Lord in your life? How long has it been since the Holy Spirit quickened your heart as you read the Word of God, and you knew, without a doubt, that the Lord was speaking to you? Maybe you have been a Christian so long that tradition and the status quo have dulled your sense of hearing. When the Lord speaks to your heart, you have trouble hearing Him because you are out of practice.
Or, perhaps you think that because you have been serving the Lord so long, you no longer need His input and advice. On the other hand, maybe you are so busy doing things for the Lord that you fail to hear His voice speaking to you over the loud, clamoring acts of your Christian service. As a result, you find yourself missing the presence of the Lord in your life when He gently speaks to your heart.
In 1 Kings 19, the Bible records an amazing encounter between Elijah and God. One of the most famous prophets of God, Elijah, had just confronted the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel and witnessed an incredible display of God's power. Nevertheless, he finds himself running scared shortly thereafter from a wicked queen named Jezebel. You would think if there was one person who could hear the voice of the Lord it would be that great prophet, Elijah! But he was so consumed by the mighty demonstrations and miracles of God that He almost missed the voice of the Lord as he sat quivering in fear in a cave. God finally had to grab hold of him and say, "Elijah! Stop. Slow down. Quit doing things for me and just listen to me. Don't just do something, stand there!"
What about you? Have you retreated into a cave of fear? Complacency? Boredom? Business-as-usual? Perhaps it is time to stop for a moment, get alone with the Lord and His Word, and hear what God is trying to tell you. Cry out like David, “Cause me to hear Your lovingkindness in the morning, for in You do I trust; cause me to know the way in which I should walk, for I lift up my soul to You.” (Psalm 143:8) Don’t just do something, stand there. You might just hear that still, small voice of the Lord.
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