The Truth About Miracles, Whispers, and God’s Promises
Are you ever discouraged because you feel like you’re fighting your fears and frustrations alone?
As I read David’s words in Psalm 12, it reminded me of Elijah’s loneliness in the valley of fear following his mountaintop experience with the prophets of Baal.
Elijah had boldly challenged Baal’s prophets saying…
“How much longer will you waver, hobbling between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him! But if Baal is God, then follow him!”
1 Kings 18:20, 23a, 24
“Now bring two bulls . . . call on the name of your god, and I will call on the name of the Lord. The god who answers by setting fire to the wood is the true God!”
Baal’s prophets went first. They cried out, shouted, danced, and even mutilated themselves but nothing happened.
Elijah trusted God’s promises, approached the water-drenched sacrifice and prayed, “O Lord, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, prove today that you are God in Israel and that I am your servant.” (1 Kings 18:36a)
God responded…
Immediately the fire of the Lord flashed down from heaven and burned up the young bull, the wood, the stones, and the dust.
1 Kings 18:38
Elijah had the prophets of Baal killed. He prayed for drought-ending rain and it rained. And God gave him “special strength” to outrun King Ahab’s chariot. (Read 1 Kings 18–19 here.)
But then Ahab’s wife, Jezebel, threatened to kill him and Elijah ran for his life.
[Elijah] went on alone into the wilderness, traveling all day. He sat down under a solitary broom tree and prayed that he might die.
1 Kings 19:4a
He went from a miraculous high to a lonely and afraid low.
Oh, how the enemy loves to attack us and turn our spiritual highs into lonely times of despair and frustration.
But do you know what God did? He didn’t leave Elijah alone!
He sent an angel with a meal to give Elijah the strength he needed to travel to Mt. Sinai, the mountain God, where God revealed Himself in a “gentle whisper.” (1 Kings 19:12)
God revealed Himself to Elijah. In a flash of fire from heaven and then in a gentle whisper . . . God was with him. And He’s with you and me, too.
He sees our despair, knows our needs, and graciously and mercifully provides.
God provided His own presence and showed Elijah that he wasn’t alone . . . there were 7,000 other believers. And Elisha became his friend and assistant.
David began Psalm 12 with these words…
Help, O Lord, for the godly are fast disappearing!
Psalm 12:1–2
The faithful have vanished from the earth!
Neighbors lie to each other,
speaking with flattering lips and deceitful hearts.
Can you relate? Do you feel like there are fewer followers of Jesus now than there used to be? Are you tired of all the lying and deceit?
You can trust God’s promises and so can I!
Look at what David said about the Lord’s response…
The Lord replies, “I have seen violence done to the helpless,
Psalm 12:5 (CSB)
and I have heard the groans of the poor.
Now I will rise up to rescue them,
as they have longed for me to do.”
And David believed…
The Lord’s promises are pure,
Psalm 12:6 (CSB)
like silver refined in a furnace,
purified seven times over.
God’s promises prove true. He loves us. He promises that we can trust Him to care for us. He promises that He is with us and that He will protect and provide for us.
We can trust Him. He is the God of miracles and gently whispered promises…
Do not fear, for I am with you;
Isaiah 41:10, Philippians 4:19
do not be afraid, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you; I will help you;
I will hold on to you with my righteous right hand.
And my God will supply every need of yours according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
Let’s pray…
Praying God’s Promises with a Heart of Thanks
Father, thank you for the gift of Your promises. From Your promise to send a Savior to defeat the enemy in the Garden . . . to the promise that Jesus, the Savior, will come again in glory and victory. Your Word assures us of who You are and all You do.
You promise to give me peace when I place my trust in You. (Isaiah 26:3) You promise to be with me and give me strength. (Isaiah 41:10) You promise to guide me and lead me each day. (Psalm 73:24) You promise to help me carry my burdens. (Matthew 11:28) You promise that nothing can separate me from Your love. (Romans 8:39) You promise that Your Spirit will never forsake me. (John 14:16) You promise to forgive me when I humbly repent. (Luke 24:47) You promise me Your saving grace through faith in Jesus. (Romans 10:9)
Thank you, Father! Your promises fill me with peace and give me hope. Your Spirit guides me with Your truth. And Your Son, Jesus, gives me life.
Please help me remember that I am never alone. You are always with me and You will always give me what I need. I thank You. I praise You. I trust You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
You and I can trust God’s promises!
The Lord is always at work around us and in us. So, let’s watch for His miracles and listen for His gentle whisper. Let’s SEEK Him first and…
Rest in the knowledge that He is with us to guard and protect us . . . heart, mind, soul, and spirit…
You, Lord, will guard us;
Psalm 12:7
You will protect us from this generation forever.
May He be with you, bless you, and help you remember that you will never have to fight alone. God’s promises are trustworthy forever and always!
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Amen, Deb! God’s promises will never fail us.
Blessings!
Never! What a wonderful God we love and serve! God bless!
Hi Deb,
My name is Laura and I’ve been a subscriber for about 5 years. Your daily blogs always speak to me in affirmation to what God is saying to me. Thank you so much.
Aloha,
Laura
Hi, Laura! Thank you so very much for stopping to say “hello.” I’m glad you have been blessed by your visits here. I love being able to do this and hearing from friends who are encouraged is a bonus blessing! God be with you and bless you!
He is the God of miracles and gently whispered promises… beautiful- thanks Deb.
Thank you, Deborah! I always appreciate your words of encouragement. Blessings!
Oh my goodness….. don’t even know where to start. This Elisha episode is one of the dearest to my heart. God’s quiet, sweet voice of encouragement, love and peace. Not in the earthshattering events like the fire or earthquake, but in the quietness of our heart, of our daily lives. I relied on these passages many times in my life.
And God’s strong, steady Right Hand has the same meaning to me. Just by reading of it, I feel security, protection and unfailing love. While I stumble, His right hand is there to steady my steps. When I drown in difficulties, sorrow or depression, His right hand is there to pull me out and set my feet back on the path. His right hand holds mine, never lets it go and can trust Him to lead me home.
I love these psalm studies. Blessings my friend for sharing them.