As I was meditating on the Asbury Awakening that I reported on last Sunday, I remembered this evidence that God is not always in the spectacular. Sometimes he is, but I think most of the time he’s not. Elijah had just seen God at his most spectacular when God sent down fire from heaven as recorded in 1 Kings 18. But in chapter 19, he’s having a pity party. How does God handle that?

And [the LORD] said, “Go out and stand on the mount before the LORD.” And behold, the LORD passed by, and 

• a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke 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 the sound of a low whisper. (1 Kings 19.11, 12, ESV, bulleted for clarity)

The LORD was in the wind and the fire in Acts 2, and he surely was in the spectacular at Asbury, but God is not always in the spectacular. Elijah needed to hear the low whisper. And what was in the low whisper?

And the LORD said to him, “Go, return on your way to the wilderness of Damascus. 

• And when you arrive, you shall anoint Hazael to be king over Syria. 
• And Jehu the son of Nimshi you shall anoint to be king over Israel,
• and Elisha…you shall anoint to be prophet in your place. 
  • And the one who escapes from the sword of Hazael shall Jehu put to death, and the one who escapes from the sword of Jehu shall Elisha put to death.  
• Yet I will leave seven thousand in Israel, all the knees that have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him.” (1 Kings 19.15 – 18, ESV), bulleted for clarity

There is always a “go.” We can’t stay on the mountain of the spectacular. There is work to be done, and I’m not the only one to do it! (Elijah had 7,000 supporters he didn’t know about.)

Moses my servant is dead. Now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, into the land that I am giving to them, to the people of Israel. (Joshua 1.2, ESV, emphasis mine)

And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28.18 – 20, ESV, emphasis mine)