The Choice Is Ours

Our God approaches, and he is not silent. Fire devours everything in his way, and a great storm rages around him. [Psalm 50.3] 

Can we reconcile this verse with the passage in 1 Kings where Elijah encounters God?

“Go out and stand before me on the mountain,” the LORD told him. And as Elijah stood there, the LORD passed by, and a mighty windstorm hit the mountain. It was such a terrible blast that the rocks were torn loose, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake there was a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire there was the sound of a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And a voice said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” [1 Kings 19.11-13]

The verse from the Psalms above gives one perspective of encountering God and Elijah's story offers another perspective of encountering God. There is definitely a difference in the two encounters!

The Psalmist speaks of an encounter with God in His judgment as is seen in the following verses.

He calls on the heavens above and earth below to witness the judgment of his people. “Bring my faithful people to me—those who made a covenant with me by giving sacrifices.” Then let the heavens proclaim his justice, for God himself will be the judge. [Psalm 50.4-6] 

Elijah's encounter differs in that he had been doing God's will and was simply having a peaceful visit with God about some next steps in his life of obedience. 

This difference of encounters begs us to pay attention to how WE will encounter God. In the fullness of God's plan, we can encounter God in His very "not silent" approach or we can encounter Him in the stillness of a whisper. The choice is ours. The difference is relationship.

Jesus also spoke of peace and of bringing a sword. There is no conflict in this because, again, humanity's encounter with Jesus is offered in the acceptance of "peace on earth" through a born Savior OR the fiery judgement inflicted upon those who reject His salvation. Again, the choice is ours.

The Bible tells us to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. In this simplistic act of faith, a relationship is formed that will grow and flourish for the rest of the believer's life if pursued. The hallmark nature of this relationship is indeed peace. In contrast, everything that is "not peace" is the fate of all others.

Father, I certainly want to know You in the peace of Jesus Christ and the voice of Your Holy Spirit residing within me. I believe in Jesus. I will seek out and follow Your peace in Him. So be it.