The Lord said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.”

Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks 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 came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave.

Then a voice said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”  [God says this in a whisper]

Why a whisper?  This week’s Sunday message on this text and it provoked me to think.

When someone is far away or hard of hearing, one must shout.  It’s the form of communication that is effective.

When someone is arm’s length away, we talk in a normal voice.  Someone who talks very loudly while we’re right next to them is annoying.

But it’s in the place of nearness and great intimacy that one whispers.  It’s when something is holy and sacred just between two that such communication takes place.

God whispers to Elijah because even though Elijah feels God is far away, he is actually quite near.  So near he can whisper.  It is the language of intimacy.

Oftentimes God whispers to us.  He doesn’t shout.  He doesn’t even always talk in a normal voice.  He whispers.  And it requires us to draw near to Him as He draws near to us.