Possibly the greatest thing Elijah ever did was to hear God whisper. God whispered for Elijah to anoint Elisha. This led to two other anointings through which the perverted and oppressive kingdom of Ahab and Jezebel was destroyed (see 1 Kgs 19:15-17).
Because hearing God's whisper is so important, Satan tried to prevent Elijah from hearing God. Elijah had to fight through despair (1 Kgs 19:4). Then he walked forty days and forty nights (1 Kgs 19:8). He climbed Mt. Horeb to endure a violent, rock-crushing wind, an earthquake, and fire (1 Kgs 19:11-12). Then he heard God whisper. The devil sometimes makes it very hard for us to hear God. However, God will always get through to us if we want to hear Him and persevere in trying to hear Him.
Daniel also wanted to hear God. He mourned, fasted, and did not wash for three weeks (Dn 10:2-3). Finally, an angel, probably the Archangel Gabriel, delivered God's message to Daniel. The angel had been held up for twenty-one days by a demon, called "the prince of the kingdom of Persia," until St. Michael, the greatest angel, helped the other angel (Dn 10:13). We must fight to hear God. Nonetheless, we will always hear Him if we are willing and persevering (see Jn 8:47). Hear God!
| PRAYER: | Prayer: Father, deepen my faith as I hear Your Word (Rm 10:17). |
| PROMISE: | Promise: "So Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on the water, moving toward Jesus. But when he perceived how strong the wind was, becoming frightened, he began to sink and cried out, 'Lord, save me!' " –Mt 14:29-30 |
| PRAISE: | Praise: Praise Jesus, risen Lord and God, "Who inspires and perfects our faith"! (Heb 12:2) |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College