By Olubunmi Adebayo
*Why would God choose not to speak to His own chosen servant in a great moment of challenge in the form of strong wind, or in an earthquake, or in a fire manifestation?*
*This was because Elijah was distracted.*
*God knew that if He had spoken to Elijah prior to the point of the small still voice, he wouldn’t hear or pick the message of communication.*
*Read the story in some details :*
*1 Kings 19: [11] And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the LORD. And, behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake 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 a still small voice.*
*[13] And it was so, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave. And, behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here, Elijah?*
*God had to speak in a small still voice after the three elements above had brought Elijah back to a state of reality.*
*Remember, it was this Elijah that before this moment stood before 450 prophets of Baal and 400 prophets of the groves and the people of Israel (1Kg 18:19) and brought down fire from heaven at the battle of the gods on mountain Carmel. This was Elijah that just before this moment prayed 7 times and God answered a nation with open heaven rainfall after 3 and half years of drought (Lk 4:25).*
*What happened to Elijah that he could not wait on God when a woman by the name of Jezebel threatened him and he bolted away?*
*It was because he was distracted and disconnected from God.*
*Whenever you are distracted, you will be disconnected. And when you are disconnected, you may end up becoming depressed. This was exactly what happened in the scenario above.*
*Look at another effect of Elijah’s distraction and disconnection :*
*1 Kings 19: [18] Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him.*
*Elijah was claiming he was the ONLY one still standing for God, but God reminded him 7,000 people were still standing that have never bowed their heads to idol.*
*Distraction is dangerous. Enemies use it to rob one of opportunities, and ensure you end up becoming a loser thereby.*
*Not only this, distractions will blind you from recognizing God’s voice, His presence and the opportunities He had sent to you.*
*Distractions will defocus you. It will deorientate you and ensure you end up where you don’t want.*
*Look at another example : the case of the daughter of Herodias (the wife of king Herod) and how the little girl engaged her ability in dancing to distract King Herod, thereby ended up asking for the head of John the Baptist on a platter.*
*To be concluded tomorrow, God willing.*
Top of the day to you 👍
©️ Olubunmi S Adebayo.
