Dr H Reflections

Freedom from care ∙∙

Freedom from care ∙∙

My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! – Luke 10:41

Matthew 6:25-34

25 For this reason, I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink, nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?

26 Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they?

27 And who of you, by being worried, can add a single hour to his life?

28 And why are you worried about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil, nor do they spin,

29 yet I say to you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these.

31 Do not worry then, saying, “What will we eat?” or “What will we drink?” or “What will we wear for clothing?”

32 For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.

33 But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

34 So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Worrying is one of the more common and destructive human activities. “The reason why worry kills more people than work is that more people worry than work” (Robert Frost).

Worrying can become a troublesome habit or even an addiction. Problematic habits can be altered with some effort, but overcoming addictions often requires intervention and comprehensive long-term strategies.

The Father has given us the ability to be attentive and vigilant, intended as a means of protection. However, worry, in contrast, is not really helpful. Worry resembles a mouse running on a treadmill, expending energy and effort. There is motion but no progress. What is worse than one mouse on the treadmill? Two mice on the same treadmill. Check out YouTube for an amusing visual example.

“Worry often gives a small thing a big shadow” (Swedish Proverb).

The Scriptures consistently disparage indulging in persistent worry. Worry is not merely discouraged; it is explicitly forbidden! The Lord Jesus Christ issued a clear and firm command, “So do not worry” (Matthew 6:31). By surrendering ourselves to worry, we transgress this direct command. Worry indicates a lack of trust and confidence in the Father.

REFLECT & PRAY

“Worrying is carrying tomorrow’s load with today’s strength – carrying two days at once. It is moving into tomorrow ahead of time. Worrying doesn’t empty tomorrow of its sorrow; it empties today of its strength” (Corrie Ten Boom).

Father thank You that You are trustworthy, and You lovingly desire to care for me. Anxious care and undue concern are too often a natural, ingrained go-to reaction. Please encourage me and strengthen me to overcome this propensity.

INSIGHT

For all of the children of the King, worry is unreasonable (Matthew 6:25-30), uncharacteristic (Matthew 6:30-32), unproductive (Matthew 6:33), and unprofitable (Matthew 6:34) (Arthur Jackson). Why worry?

In Matthew 6:25-34 and Luke 10:41-42, the Greek word translated as worry or anxious is merimnao. It has the sense of anxious care, being troubled, anxious, or unduly concerned. Related Greek words are meris and merizo, which have the sense of dividing, parting, or splitting. What is divided? Our very soul, our cognitive and emotional core, is conflicted. When we worry, our emotions become divided, causing internal discord, fragmentation, and cognitive dissonance. Regrettably, many of us are all too familiar with this experience.

Considering the larger context helps us to gain clarity and a deeper understanding of the Lord Jesus Christ’s teachings on the compassionate care of our heavenly Father. Through His simple yet profound words, He opens our minds and understanding. Pause for a moment and think it through for yourself. If there were no God, life would be random or driven by the imaginary notion of fate. People have no control over either.

Therefore, worry or anxiety is a natural response to the challenges of everyday life: poverty, hunger, shelter, clothing, and the like. Without a loving Father God, we would stand powerless. Such concerns turn into anxiety and drive people to try to protect themselves as best they can from whatever confronts them.

The children of the King do not live in a godless world. We have a caring, loving Father Who is actively involved. That is why worry is not merely discouraged; it is scorned and forbidden.

Philippians 4:6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

Paul does not write, “Pray about it!” He is too wise to do that. He uses three different words to describe “right praying”: prayer, supplication, and thanksgiving. “Right praying” involves all three.

The first word is prayer. Prayer is the general word for making requests known to the Lord. It carries the idea of adoration, devotion, and worship. Whenever we worry, our first action should be to get alone with the Father and worship Him. Adoration is what is needed. We must see the greatness and majesty of God! We must realize that He is big enough to solve our problems. The first step in “right praying” is adoration.

The second is supplication, an earnest sharing of our needs and problems. There is no place for halfhearted, insincere prayer! Our Father wants us to be fervent and genuine in our asking. Supplication is not a matter of carnal energy but spiritual intensity (Romans 15:30).

The third is appreciation, giving thanks to God (Ephesians 5:20, Colossians 3:17). The Father enjoys hearing His children say, “Thank You!” (Wiersbe [extrapolated])

“Every tomorrow has two handles. We can take hold of it with the handle of anxiety or the handle of faith” (Henry Ward Beecher).

“Concern is unavoidable, but it is given a new orientation. Liberation from it comes as one casts it upon God, not because God grants every wish, but because prayer grants freedom from care” (TDNT).

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Fear or faith ∙

Fear or faith ∙

There is no fear in love, but perfect love expels all fear. – 1 John 4:18.

Mark 14:27 All of you will desert me. For the Scriptures say, God will strike the Shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.

John 20:19 So when it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and when the doors were shut where the disciples were, for fear . . . Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.”

Fear is a universal emotion that we can all relate to. We all know what it is like to be afraid. Fear is emotional foreboding or dread of impending trouble or sorrow. Fear can result from real dangers or challenges. Fear can also be the result of imaginary dangers or challenges. Such fear lacks an objective or logical grounding. It is irrational. However, it is real fear nonetheless to the person who experiences it.

Fear frequently immobilizes us. We freeze emotionally, mentally, or physically. We feel trapped, boxed in, and limited.

When we live in fear, we cannot fully experience Who the Father is and what He desires for every child of the King.

If there ever existed a group of men who had reason to have confidence based upon reality, it was the apostles of the Lord Jesus Christ. They spent over three years with Him. They had the privilege of spending over three years in His company, intimately acquainted with Him. They rubbed shoulders with Him and got to know Him for the delightful and wonderful person that He is. He was a joy to be with.

However, His unmatched power and authority set Him apart from all others, embodying the qualities of a lamb, a lion, and a king all in one. To those in need, He was gentle, tender, and kind. Yet, to those who were self-righteous and spiritually blind, the Lord Jesus Christ was blunt and direct, often offensive.

The Lord Jesus Christ is a remarkable person. He is the incarnate God, the exact representation of the Father’s character and nature on earth. Those that saw Him saw the Father at work through Him.

The Apostles had great expectations and high hopes based on reality, not fiction, mythology, or imagination. They firmly believed that the Lord Jesus Christ had come into the world to redeem Israel, freeing them from Roman domination. They were expecting the Son of David to take His rightful place as the long-awaited Messiah, the King of Israel, and usher in the Kingdom of God on earth. They were expecting freedom, peace, and joy.

But then something terrible happened. How horrifying it was. He was arrested, beaten, tried, sentenced to death, and cruelly crucified. They watched in horror, and they were filled with fear and dread. Their hopes and expectations were utterly shattered. They were crushed. They went into hiding. Imagine for a moment what it was like for them, hiding, cowering behind closed doors, in total disillusionment, fearing the absolute worst.

REFLECT & PRAY

The apostles of the Lord Jesus Christ experienced the darkest of all Sabbaths and the brightest of all Sundays.

Dear Father You alone are responsible for our faith in Your Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. Thank You for opening the eyes of our hearts so that we might see the glory and truth of the gospel. Encourage us to walk by faith and reject fear.

INSIGHT

At the darkest of all nights, something totally marvelous happened. It was remarkable and unbelievable. Sadly, for most, it remains unbelievable even to this day. The Father, the Lord God Almighty, exercised His mighty power. The Lord Jesus Christ was resurrected. He lives! God the Father raised Him from the dead.

Galatians 1:1 God the Father, who raised Jesus from the dead.

What a difference one day makes. And because of it, the apostles could face tomorrow. The apostles’ fear was transformed into faith. Timidity was transformed into courage and boldness. Their disparaging aimlessness and sense of futility were transformed into new purpose and focus. Their worldview shifted. It now incorporated an expectation and certainty of the miracle-working power of the living God. They were still ordinary men. But they were ordinary men infused with the power and strength of the Lord God Almighty.

The darkness of the night heralds death, but the light of the morning declares life. In the face of such faith, fear is vanquished and evaporates.

1 Corinthians 15:54-58

54 “Death is swallowed up in victory.

55 O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?”

56 For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power.

57 But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ.

The resurrection of Christ is the foundation of the faith upon which each child of the King stands. Resurrection power provides moment-by-moment strength and energy to live as the Lord Jesus Christ did and as the Father asks us to do.

1 Corinthians 15:14,17

14 if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is vain, your faith also is vain.

17 and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins.

He is risen, He is risen indeed.

I serve a risen Savior

I serve a risen Savior He’s in the world today.

I know that He is living, Whatever men may say.

I see His hand of mercy; I hear His voice of cheer;

And just the time I need Him, He’s always near.

He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today!

He walks with me and talks with me along life’s narrow way.

He lives, He lives, salvation to impart!

You ask me how I know He lives

He lives within my heart.

In all the world around me, I see His loving care,

And though my heart grows weary, I never will despair;

I know that He is leading, Through all the stormy blast;

The day of His appearing Will come at last.

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Money does stupid things ∙

Money does stupid things ∙

Don’t love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.” – Hebrews 13:5

Psalms 119:35-40

35 Make me walk along the path of your commands, for that is where my happiness is found.

36 Give me an eagerness for your laws rather than a love for money!

37 Turn my eyes from worthless things, and give me life through your word.

38 Reassure me of your promise, made to those who fear you.

39 Help me abandon my shameful ways; for your regulations are good.

40 I long to obey your commandments! Renew my life with your goodness.

One of the unforeseen consequences of the COVID-19 Pandemic was the accumulation of substantial amounts of money in the bank accounts of individuals who remained employed and had nothing to spend it on. Apparently, money, akin to energetic individuals, thrives on being active and engaged rather than just lying around gathering interest. What would all this money do? “The money has nowhere to go, so it’s doing stupid things” (Howard Lindzon). Money learned to do stupid tricks (Erin Griffith).

A buying frenzy erupted. In March 2021, a Tom Brady trading card sold for $1.3 million, setting a new record. Additionally, a work of digital art created by the relatively obscure artist Beeple, previously unrecognized, astoundingly fetched $69.3 million at Christie’s auction house, surpassing initial bids that began at a mere $100. Meanwhile, the value of Bitcoin, a cryptocurrency, soared past the remarkable milestone of $1 trillion.

Of course, money learned or did nothing. Money is not alive and sentient. It is devoid of the ability to learn or take action. Instead, the individuals who possess money are the culprits. They sprang into action. When faced with prolonged periods of boredom and confinement at home, people eventually reached a tipping point and burst out. Investment manias of all types, many unheard of, exploded. People’s hearts follow their treasures. But what do these people treasure the most?

Solomon had this worked out 3000 years ago. He provided great insight and wisdom for all to absorb and consider. Solomon’s teachings offer invaluable lessons.

Ecclesiastes 5:10-15

10 Those who love money will never have enough. How meaningless to think that wealth brings true happiness!

11 The more you have, the more people come to help you spend it. So what good is wealth – except perhaps to watch it slip through your fingers!

12 People who work hard sleep well, whether they eat little or much. But the rich seldom get a good night’s sleep.

13 There is another serious problem I have seen under the sun. Hoarding riches harms the saver.

14 Money is put into risky investments that turn sour, and everything is lost. In the end, there is nothing left to pass on to one’s children.

15 We all come to the end of our lives as naked and empty-handed as on the day we were born. We can’t take our riches with us.

REFLECT & PRAY

“Money in itself is neither good nor bad, but the love of it may lead to evil. With it, people may selfishly serve their own desires . . .. Money is not itself an evil, but it is a great responsibility. It has power for good and power for evil” (Barclay).

Father help me to be wise with my priorities. Encourage me to treasure what You treasure. Help me to align my heart so that my greatest treasure is my love for You and Your precious Word.

INSIGHT

Treasuring money, wealth, and material things put us at odds with the Father. The Lord Jesus Christ revealed an unchanging principle that encompasses and informs all we do.

Matthew 6:24 No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.

A remnant of children of the King displays a clear and sincere affection for the Word of God. This profound love for scripture naturally stems from their deep-rooted affection and intimate connection with the Lord Jesus Christ.

When our treasures do not align with the desires of the Father, redirecting our hearts begins with a crucial question: How do we repurpose our affections? When a new child of the King asked this question, seeking guidance. He was advised to spend time in the Word of God every day and earnestly pray to fall in love with the Lord Jesus Christ. Remarkably and delightfully, after several months, the transformation began to happen.

Most of us know what it is like to be in love with another person. Our hearts dance with delight at the mere thought of them, and the anticipation of being in their presence becomes nearly irresistible. Emotions well up within us, occasionally leading to tears, as our overwhelming joy bursts forth, impossible to contain.

Have you ever contemplated what it is like to be deeply in love with the Lord Jesus Christ? Imagine the sheer joy, boundless joy, and exhilaration that accompanies such a profound connection.

Wonder of wonders, every child of the King can fall in love with Him.

Have you ever considered or imagined what it would be like to have a passion and a deep heartfelt love for the Word of God itself? This is more than a desire for the pure milk or the delight of tasting and consuming it. It is so much more than that. What a thrill, a sheer delight, to be passionately in love with the Word of God.

1 Peter 2:2 Like newborn babies, you must crave pure spiritual milk . . .. Cry out for this nourishment,

Psalms 119:103 How sweet your words taste to me; they are sweeter than honey.

Take a moment to reflect on the marvel of honey. This extraordinary substance is marvelously manufactured by industrious honeybees using raw nectar. Beyond its delightful sweetness, honey possesses many remarkable qualities, some recently discovered by nutritionists. Honey contains an array of antioxidants and antibacterial and antifungal properties. Honey is healing and soothing. Furthermore, it fortifies the immune system, protecting against harmful elements in the natural world.

The Word of God far exceeds honey in all of these areas and so much more.

The power to choose what we treasure ultimately rests within us. We control our priorities. In the present moment, it is wise to reassess our priorities and humbly request the Father to search our hearts, bringing to light any concealed sins lurking within. The potential negative consequences of neglecting this introspection are explicitly outlined and serve as a cautionary reminder.

1 Timothy 6:10 For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and with many sorrows.

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The G Factor vs. going it alone ∙∙

The G Factor vs. going it alone ∙∙

Two people are better than one. – Ecclesiastes 4:9

Ecclesiastes 4:8-13

8 This is the case of a man who is all alone, without a child or a brother, yet who works hard to gain as much wealth as he can. But then he asks himself, “Who am I working for? Why am I giving up so much pleasure now?” It is all so meaningless and depressing.

9 Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed.

10 If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble.

11 Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone?

12 A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.

13 It is better to be a poor but wise youth than an old and foolish king who refuses all advice.

In 2020, the population of the United States of America was approximately 330 million. According to the Census Bureau, there has been a noticeable increase in the number of Americans living alone. This reflects a global trend. The percentage of Americans residing alone has shown a consistent upward trend since the 1920s, with figures of 5% in 1920, 25% in 1990, and 35% in 2018.

The term “G factor” serves as an abbreviation for general intelligence or commonly referred to as intelligence (IQ). Historically, intelligence was primarily associated with knowledge and skills. However, in recent times, intelligence is defined as a mental capacity encompassing various abilities such as reasoning, planning, problem-solving, abstract thinking, grasping complex concepts, learning from experience, and acquiring knowledge rapidly. Additionally, when individuals collaborate collectively, a phenomenon known as the “group mind” emerges.

Are two heads better than one?

Ecclesiastes 4:9 Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed.

Solomon, the author of Ecclesiastes, paints a rather dark, bleak, and somewhat meaningless picture of being alone. Loneliness often involves lots of hard work but diminishing rewards.

Ecclesiastes 4:8 This is the case of a man who is all alone, without a child or a brother, yet who works hard to gain as much wealth as he can. But then he asks himself, “Who am I working for? Why am I giving up so much pleasure now?” It is all so meaningless and depressing.

Solomon envisions a person who was driven to achieve success in life. This individual has now reached the pinnacle of success, becoming the king of the mountain, but all alone. They are contemplative and introspective. They realize that ceaseless labor without fulfillment ultimately leads to unhappiness.

The example of John D. Rockefeller, renowned as one of the wealthiest individuals of his time, comes to mind. When asked the question, “How much money is enough?” Rockefeller famously replied, “Just a little bit more.” This raises the question of what truly constitutes “enough.” If even Rockefeller always felt the need for more, who will ever have enough?

But Solomon, in his great wisdom offered an alternative. Two are better than one. Working side-by-side, wise people are more effective. They get more “bang for the buck.” Achievement is often accompanied by increased productivity and reward, contentment, and help in times of need. Work is sweeter and more successful when done with another. Working well together is a life skill well worth pursuing.

Life is full of challenges! Given the choice, why face them alone? Initially, who first advocated that going through life alone was not a good idea? The answer is familiar but surprisingly just off the radar.

Genesis 2:18 The LORD God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is just right for him.”

Ecclesiastes 4:9 Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed.

According to this simple comparison, it is better to share our life and work than to try to make it on our own. With very few exceptions, the Father did not design children of the King to go it alone!

But this is more than simply talking about having a mate. This is about finding the person tailor-made for us. Togetherness is better than loneliness. Connection is better than competition (Ryken). This applies to long-term, life-long relationships and short-term partnerships, and more casual ad hoc alliances or projects. The “buddy system” is the Father’s plan for life. Such relationships provide practical and emotional support, strength, and reassurance.

The Father rarely calls on children of the King to “go it alone” in their walk with Him. We need each other not only to receive help and encouragement but to give it as well (Stanley).

REFLECT & PRAY

In the challenges of life, having someone to help us is a gift from the Father.

Father thank You for putting people into my life who have my back. Encourage me to reach out and help others in need.

INSIGHT

Ecclesiastes is a long lament about living life for this world only, or as Solomon puts it, “under the sun.” Living life with solely an earthbound view is cruelly dissatisfying. We toil and strive, yet we remain haunted by a vague sense that we’re missing something (Tim Gustafson).

Against this grim background, Solomon offers simple, homespun wisdom: companionship is better than loneliness. Companions are there for each other and help each other out. They provide warmth and comfort. There is strength in numbers, and they defend one another. A threefold cord describes a rope or cord formed of three strands twisted or plaited together. A rope with three strands is harder to break than a rope with two.

“It is not in numbers, but in unity, that our great strength lies” (Thomas Paine).

Ecclesiastes 4:10-13

10 If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble.

11 Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone?

12 A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.

13 It is better to be a poor but wise youth than an old and foolish king who refuses all advice.

How does the old king demonstrate that he is foolish? He refuses to take advice. He is inflexible and unwilling to learn. Sadly, as we age, many not only become rigid in body but also in mind. The old king’s problem was not simply age but being closed to the advice and counsel of others. Is this king the individual who chose to go it all alone?

This need not be the case. Regardless of our age, we should be willing and open to admonition, correction, and instruction. We should seek it out.

2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.

¯\_(ツ)_/¯ 5-02-1

A whisper ∙∙

A whisper ∙∙

These are just the fringes of all he does, merely a whisper of his power. Who, then, can comprehend the thunder of his power? – Job 26:14

1 Kings 19:11-12

11 And he said, “Go out and stand on the mount before the LORD.” And behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke 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 the sound of a low whisper.

How much of the vast knowledge present in the universe do we currently know and understand? How many books in the Library of Congress have we read? When it comes to the infinite, all-powerful, all-knowing, and ever-present Father God, know and understand?

The answer to all these questions is the same, extraordinarily little.

Despite significant advancements, our current knowledge only represents a nano fraction of the vast knowledge throughout the universe. Our understanding remains limited and incomplete, with countless galaxies, stars, and mysteries yet to be discovered.

The Father’s omnipotence, omniscience, and omnipresence are seen in what has been made. The unlimited power and authority of the Creator, who brought everything into existence and governs it, holds profound implications. However, attempting to fully comprehend the nature of the Father through His creation is limited at best and foolhardy at worst. It is akin to studying a solitary grain of sand and assuming that it grants us complete knowledge and understanding of all the sand in existence.

The vastness and complexity of creation, with its countless galaxies, stars, planets, and intricate ecosystems, are merely glimpses of the immense power and wisdom of the Creator. Our attempts to comprehend the divine through the limited lens of our human understanding fall short. Our observations and perceptions of the world around us can only offer glimpses of the grandeur and mysteries of the Creator.

We hear thunder, but how can we presume to understand thunder by merely hearing it?

Job 26:14 These are just the fringes of all that he does, merely a whisper of his power. Who, then, can comprehend the thunder of his power?

The Hebrew word translated as fringes or outskirts is qatsah. It refers to the end or extremity of objects, border regions, or edge. It speaks of something which is only partially disclosed or revealed; the term can be translated as outline, glimpse, a small part of, only a fraction of, and hints of.

“In this context, refers not to a distant area such as outskirts suggests (as when referring to the distant outskirts of a city), but rather to something only partially disclosed or revealed; the term can be translated as ‘outline, glimpse, a small part of,’ which NJB renders ‘only a fraction of,’ and TEV ‘only hints of’” (UBS).

Job’s friends, observing the wonders of the Father’s creation in nature, mistakenly and arrogantly believed they had a comprehensive knowledge of Him. In their presumption, they audaciously thought they could explain the nature of the Father to Job.

Drawing from their observations of the natural world, Job’s friends saw glimpses of the Father’s handiwork and interpreted it according to their limited understanding. However, their confidence in their interpretation led them astray, as they failed to recognize the Father’s vastness and complexity.

Job’s view is diametrically opposed. How can you know the whole from the parts? How can you understand and comprehend an object by only observing its outline or shadow? How can we possibly reason from the lesser to the greater and fully apprehend when the greater is the Father Himself, who is infinite?

Observing the creation, we see only the fringes of His ways. We have only tidbits of Who and What He is. What we hear is but a whisper of His power! Knowing a few facts about God’s creation is not the same as knowing truths about the God of Creation (Wiersbe).

“He truly knows God perfectly that finds Him incomprehensible and unable to know him” (Richard Rolle). The more we learn about the Father and His Word, the more we realize how little we know and how much more there is to discover. They provide only a tiny hint of His greatness.

“Beware of people who claim to know all about God, for their claim is proof they know neither God nor themselves” (Wiersbe).

REFLECT & PRAY

Job’s friends misguided approach serves as a cautionary tale. It demonstrates the dangers of presuming to fully comprehend the Father based solely on limited observations of the natural world. The Father’s ways and intentions are far beyond our human comprehension, and attempting to reduce His nature to simplistic explanations is misguided.

Father help me to look beyond Your power and listen for Your gentle, soft whisper.

INSIGHT

When we contemplate the omnipotent Lord God, the Father of all, our thoughts naturally gravitate to immense things in space and time. The Father sees everything, made everything, and controls everything (Job 26:7-13).

We are filled with wonder when we contemplate the seemingly infinite immensity and complexity of the Father’s creation. We marvel at the intelligent design, precision, and absolute balance. Not to mention the harnessed control of the vast power and energy throughout the cosmos. Even seeming chaos and disarray have order and beauty.

Chaos theory suggests that the apparent randomness of chaotic complex systems is not random at all. Instead, underlying patterns and laws govern the seeming disorder and irregularities.

The Father does not always act “big.” When the Father gets personal, very personal, He draws close and speaks in soft whispers. He uses His “inside voice.” Perhaps remembering the Exodus, Elijah set his expectations on the big, powerful, and dramatic. But the Father was not in the powerful wind, the rock-shattering earthquake, or the fire he witnessed.

Instead, the Father did something unexpected. Rather than speak in a great, potent, thunderous voice shaking the earth, He spoke in a gentle, quiet whisper, the “sound of sheer silence” (NRSV) (1 Kings 19:11-12).

The Father was tenderly beckoning Elijah to return to Him. Gripped by fear, Elijah had fled for his life and sought refuge in a cave, desperately attempting to keep himself safe and out of danger. Take a moment to envision Elijah concealed within the cave, trembling with fear.

In nearly hushed silence, the Father whispers. When someone whispers, you have to get close to hear and understand. The Father, with gentle insistence, coaxes Elijah to summon his courage. Only when Elijah discerns the soft whisper of the Father’s voice does he find the strength to venture out from the shelter of the cave. Once again, Elijah was safe in the Father’s presence.

When was the last time you heard His whisper, His still small voice?

¯\_(ツ)_/¯ 5-06-1

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