After the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire; and after the fire a sound of a gentle blowing. When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood in the entrance of the cave. And behold, a voice came to him…. (1 Kings 19:12–13 NAS95)
The phrase “a sound of gentle blowing” can literally be translated “a sound of thin silence.” Up to this point, Elijah had seen and done some pretty spectacular things during his prophetic ministry, and now under threat of execution, he is experiencing unimaginable stress. Chaos rules his heart. After a forty-day trek in the wilderness to Mount Sinai, the “sound of thin silence” brings Elijah to the realization of the nearness of His God. The “thin silence” acts as the threshold through which Elijah crosses over to the reality of God’s presence. In that space of silence, God shares His plans with Elijah and there the prophet quite possibly returns to believing he always has access to the presence of his Lord, everywhere, no matter the circumstance.
In the midst of busyness, stress, or spiritual battle, forgetting God’s presence with us can happen quite easily. I’ve always wondered what the "sound of thin silence” means, and then to see Elijah recognizes the presence of God in that moment packs it with power. Cease, quiet the heart, rest, remember. God called Elijah as a prophet. God had Elijah’s life in His hands. The space of “thin silence” allows us to quiet our heart and cross out of the chaos into the presence of God. True, God is with us always, but crossing the “thin silence” brings Him into clear view.
For Reflection:
“Be still, and know that I am God!” (Psalms 46:10 NRSV)
- What do you become aware of when you enter into extended silence?
- How does entering into spacious silence help shape your prayer?
