Many have searched for God. Many believe that they have found His image in the creation. Some say that the finger prints of The Divine are seen in the canyons, or maybe the stars. Some say they can see His face in the clouds. Recently one lady saw the face of God in her toast, someone believed and purchased that toast on Ebay for an incredible amount. But where is God? This is a question that has been asked through out the ages, even some of the heroes of the Bible have pondered and asked this question.
A man named Elijah asked. "Where are you God? Can I see you?" Elijah asked because he was discouraged. I think all of us have asked that question at least once out of discouragement. I know I have. I know I have been with people who have suffered and they have asked the question…”Where are you God?” or “Where was God when this happened to me?” It is a valid question.
Elijah asked it and wanted to see the proof that God was there. So God played along. He sent him out to the mountains to wait and God would pass by. While Elijah waited, a wind came by with such force and violence it tore a mountain in half. But the Lord wasn’t in the wind. Then an earthquake, but the Lord wasn’t in the earthquake. Then fire, still not the Lord. After the fire came a gentle whisper. Here is the record:
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. 1 Kings 19:12-13 NIV
“gentle whisper” demamah (translated gentle) literally means silent, and qowl (whisper) means voice. So literally where we translate “gentle whisper”- it is to mean a silent voice. God is telling us something significant. He wasn’t in the larger, louder, brighter things he was in a silent voice. So again what is a silent voice? It is a breath. Many of the old sages and translators believe that this still voice or silent voice is breath. God was in the breath.
The Genesis account of the creation of the Bible tells us that “God breathed into the nostrils of man and he became a living soul.” The first thing man had to do to live was receive the breath of God. In that same creation account the name of God is revealed as Yahweh which means “The Lord”. When you pronounce the name of God, “Yahweh” it is the same rhythm as a breath. When God breathed into the nostrils of man, it wasn’t any breath, it was the breath that gives life. It was a silent voice. It was the name of God, Yahweh.
From the time of the creation of man until today every baby will breathe to live. That breath contains something of God. It contains the life giving name of God. Outside of God, there is no life. And unless a person will say the name, they cannot live. They may deny His existence, they may scoff at His work, but they will say His name or die.
5 You have made my days a mere handbreadth;
the span of my years is as nothing before you.
Each man's life is but a breath. Ps 39:5 NIV
What is death? Many define it as when we take our last breath. Or when we no longer can breathe. They are right. But it isn’t the absence of the breath that kills as it is the missing name that seperates the dead from the living. The moment the quiet whispered name of God can no longer be said that person is no longer alive. Death is when God takes away His name from their lips and they no longer are living but are simply the compounds, and chemicals that made them up. So maybe that is what the Psalmist is talking about here:
9 When you hide your face,
they are terrified;
when you take away their breath,
they die and return to the dust. Ps 104:29 NIV
So where is God? Not where we expect. Elijah expected God to show up and save the day. Don’t we do the same? Don’t we want God to be Superman or Robocop and come in and make things better? Instead God let Elijah and us know that you are alive and I am but a breath away. Live.
A man named Elijah asked. "Where are you God? Can I see you?" Elijah asked because he was discouraged. I think all of us have asked that question at least once out of discouragement. I know I have. I know I have been with people who have suffered and they have asked the question…”Where are you God?” or “Where was God when this happened to me?” It is a valid question.
Elijah asked it and wanted to see the proof that God was there. So God played along. He sent him out to the mountains to wait and God would pass by. While Elijah waited, a wind came by with such force and violence it tore a mountain in half. But the Lord wasn’t in the wind. Then an earthquake, but the Lord wasn’t in the earthquake. Then fire, still not the Lord. After the fire came a gentle whisper. Here is the record:
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. 1 Kings 19:12-13 NIV
“gentle whisper” demamah (translated gentle) literally means silent, and qowl (whisper) means voice. So literally where we translate “gentle whisper”- it is to mean a silent voice. God is telling us something significant. He wasn’t in the larger, louder, brighter things he was in a silent voice. So again what is a silent voice? It is a breath. Many of the old sages and translators believe that this still voice or silent voice is breath. God was in the breath.
The Genesis account of the creation of the Bible tells us that “God breathed into the nostrils of man and he became a living soul.” The first thing man had to do to live was receive the breath of God. In that same creation account the name of God is revealed as Yahweh which means “The Lord”. When you pronounce the name of God, “Yahweh” it is the same rhythm as a breath. When God breathed into the nostrils of man, it wasn’t any breath, it was the breath that gives life. It was a silent voice. It was the name of God, Yahweh.
From the time of the creation of man until today every baby will breathe to live. That breath contains something of God. It contains the life giving name of God. Outside of God, there is no life. And unless a person will say the name, they cannot live. They may deny His existence, they may scoff at His work, but they will say His name or die.
5 You have made my days a mere handbreadth;
the span of my years is as nothing before you.
Each man's life is but a breath. Ps 39:5 NIV
What is death? Many define it as when we take our last breath. Or when we no longer can breathe. They are right. But it isn’t the absence of the breath that kills as it is the missing name that seperates the dead from the living. The moment the quiet whispered name of God can no longer be said that person is no longer alive. Death is when God takes away His name from their lips and they no longer are living but are simply the compounds, and chemicals that made them up. So maybe that is what the Psalmist is talking about here:
9 When you hide your face,
they are terrified;
when you take away their breath,
they die and return to the dust. Ps 104:29 NIV
So where is God? Not where we expect. Elijah expected God to show up and save the day. Don’t we do the same? Don’t we want God to be Superman or Robocop and come in and make things better? Instead God let Elijah and us know that you are alive and I am but a breath away. Live.
8 comments:
That was the most beautiful reading I have read in awhile. It makes you think about life and what it brings you. Thanks for sharing this, it made my day stonger. I think that you are the BEST pastor in the world! I love ya for that! God Bless.....
"They may deny His existence, they may scoff at His work, but they will say His name or die." That is deep right there. To know that in all of their defiance they acknowledge him with every breath. He made us for him, to worship him, so it would only make sense that we speak to him with every inhale and exhale, all day long, and if we refuse to acknowledge him we die. It makes sense! God has blessed you with such great wisdom and I thank you for making it your life to share that with others.
You have been such a blessing to me and have never realized it. I never have been able to read and understand the bible until I started attending Mercy's Cross. You and your associate pastors all have a way of preaching the word to where people like myself can understand the meaning. Thank you for all that you do, and may you continue to be blessed in doing God's will.
The first time I've read your blog. You run deep like the Ocean but Loud like the rapids. You and I have much more in common than I ever knew, despite our long history. In contrast, I am deep like the Ocean but only as loud as the occasional crash of a wave. Under the Live Out Loud, fly by the seat of your pants persona, you seem to have a stronger traditional side to you that I envy, but feel myself gravitating towards as my heart grows closer to the Lord. The images and scriptures you show, give people a true look inside and inspire me to create my own outlet for expression. Many people like you and talk about the fun and laughter you bring to their stressful lives on Sunday morning or the way they can relate to your stories. These are truely your gifts and make you a great communicator. But those who Love You are the ones who take the time to unpack the whole box and realize that you truely reflect the Love and Compassion of Christ. People are drawn to you because they seek to be closer to him and believe the closer they get to you, the more they feel his presence in their own life. After Bodybuilding ended for me so did a lot of my purpose and excitement for life. God has opened my eyes to a new and even more exciting purpose with eternal rewards. I'm living for his purpose and once again wake up each morning anxious to learn more and reflect him, with a zeal for life that surpasses anything I've felt before. Thank you so much for sharing with me, I look forward to feeding each others fire for as long as God blesses us on earth and I CAN'T WAIT to PARTY DOWN in HEAVEN after we embrace our LORD and have that chance to thank him FACE TO FACE for his suffering. I have never felt sooo blessed, and to think its only gonna get better, raises the hairs on my arms. I Love You Brother.
Thanks Again,
In Christ
Al Graham
Wow! What an incredibly intimate view of the God who loves me.
Thank you, Pastor Scott, for being dedicated to helping us understand what "Knowing Christ and making Him known" means. Not just knowing about Him, but knowing Him intimately. And not just making him known inside the walls of MCC, but in the community and the world.
Thank you for your encouragement and your admonishment. I know I need it sometimes more often than most...
You are appreciated and prayed for daily.
With gratitude,
Robin Cornish
That was beautiful!!! It had a real calming effect on me after a stressful few days and made me sit back and just breathe!!! Thanks.
Thank you Pastor Scott. This was very touching to me, and I know what it means to breathe. I had a near death experience and I know now that God had something in store for me, but didn't know at the time what He had for me to do. I now believe that my calling was to find Mercy's Cross and to grow to know him better, and serve Him better. I thank God every day for you and my whole christian family at Mercy's Cross, and it has changed my life completely.
You and all the other pastors do such an awesome job, not only for our church but have such a compassion for helping the community that we live in. Everyday I spread the word to friends and family how great of a pastor you are, and what an awesome church that Mercy's Cross is. Thank you Scott and I love you for making such a difference in my life. God bless you!
I loved the new blog. I loved reading the new blog. I was feeling 'sorta' blue today; however, upon reading Scott's message, I was definitely moved and 'things' definitely put in perspective. Thank you for sharing. To Scott, thank you for being a great witness. You have a perfect way of sharing the news, blessings, and wonders of our Lord and Savior. I have no doubt you are living your 'calling.'
Love in Christ,
Laurie
Post a Comment