A Prayer and Fasting Devotional
Shortly after the LORD defeated the 450 prophets of Baal in a remarkable display of His power (1 Kings 18), Elijah fled the scene in order to escape the murderous threats of Jezebel, King Ahab's wife. Elijah was literally running for his life and after a day's journey into the wilderness near Beersheba, he collapsed beneath a broom tree in such a state of despair that he asked that his life might be taken, praying: "It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life, for I am no better than my fathers" (1 Kings 19:5). Elijah laid his head down to sleep, hoping that his eyes might never open again.Rather than grant his dying wish, the LORD, in his providential hospitality, sent an angel to attend Elijah and twice provided him with freshly baked food and water. This nourishment sustained Elijah for forty days and forty nights. The ensuing narrative offers much to sustain us in our own walk with the LORD during our time of fasting:
"9 There Elijah came to a cave and lodged in it. And behold, the word of the LORD came to him, and He said to him, "What are you doing here, Elijah?" 10 He said, "I have been very jealous for the LORD, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away." 11 And He 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. 12 And after the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire the sound of a low whisper. 13 And when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And behold, there came a voice to him and said, "What are you doing here, Elijah?" 14 He said, "I have been very jealous for the LORD, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away." 15 And the LORD said to him, "Go, return on your way to the wilderness of Damascus." (Kings 19:9-15a)
After such a miraculous display in 1 Kings 18 of God's power and might manifest in the fire of the LORD that consumed the burnt offering, wood, stones, dust, and water, the LORD proceeds to manifest Himself in a manner of a much smaller magnitude. "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. 12 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 19:11b-12)
While it's clear that the LORD often reveals Himself in what I like to call "fireworks" – magnificent, marvelous, miraculous displays of power – I think we often overlook the times when God speaks to us in gentle whispers. There are at least two reasons why I think we don't hear God's still, small voice. The first reason pertains to our expectations. We expect God to show up in a certain way – in signs and wonders. It is commendable, as the founder of modern missions, William Carey, modeled, to "Expect great things from God [and attempt] great things for God," but we must be open to God's notion of "greatness," not our own. God often surprises us, most notably in the manner of the Incarnation. The second pertains to our lack of silence. Our lives are supersaturated with noise competing for our attention – busyness, distractions, smartphones, media, advertisements, etc. Fasting is an effective way to wean ourselves from an over-exaggerated dependence on the noise of life. Fasting from food can develop within us self-control, which extends to our ability to separate ourselves from noise. Fasting weans us from an unhelpful dependency on the things of the world such that we are able to feast, more and more, on God.
In this time of fasting, have you considered carving out some time and space to listen for the still, small voice of the LORD? While abstaining from food or drink, I encourage you to find at least a window of time today to abstain from the noise and hubbub of your daily life so that you can hear how the word of the LORD can speak into your own life. Much like Elijah, you may be surprised to hear the mission to which He calls you (1 Kings 19:15ff).
Kevin M. Antlitz
Ministry Fellow at Princeton
