Satan's Shout -- God's Whisper

      I know most of us have heard about the "still, small voice" of God, but how often do we think of Satan's big, loud voice? It's all around us, you know: on television, the radio, Facebook, Twitter, and wherever we get our "news." But then, he (Satan) is the "ruler of this world" (John 8: 44-47, 12:31-33, 14:30; Ephesians 6: 12-13; 1 Peter 5:8-10), so why are we surprised when his voice rings loud all around us?

      Why doesn't God make it easier for us to see Him, hear Him, know Him? No one can say for sure, of course. But think about a time when you've seen the most beautiful sight ever, whether it be a wild creature you've taken by surprise in a quiet wood, our spectacular sun rising over a grand mountain or melting into a liquid sea, an intricate cathedral arching to the heavens, the look of love in a dear one's eyes. Is your first impulse to shout a thousand words, or are you rendered speechless with the wonder of it?

      I know that it's in the quiet moments gazing at my beloved lake or the serene meadow in front of our house that I seem to hear God speaking, not in words, but directly to my heart. It's then that I open His written Word and sense He is speaking to me, and I am able to face another day....

      ".... At that moment the Lord passed by. A great and mighty wind was tearing at the mountains and was shattering cliffs before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake, After the earthquake there was a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. After the fire there was a voice, a soft whisper. When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave.
      Suddenly a voice came to him and said, 'What are you doing here, Elijah?'" (1 Kings 19:11-13)