Posted on by Christian Armetta

A Gentle Whisper

1 Kings 19:11-13

11 “Go out and stand before me on the mountain,” the Lord told him. And as Elijah stood there, the Lord passed by, and a mighty windstorm hit the mountain. It was such a terrible blast that the rocks were torn loose, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. 12 And after the earthquake there was a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire there was the sound of a gentle whisper. 13 When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And a voice said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”

whisper

“Yes My child?” the Lord asserts. “I’m afraid!” exclaims the broken. “I have had enough,” the exhausted continues. “Enter My presence, and I will restore you!” proclaims the Lord. With reverent fear, the fractured soul walks to the edge. He thinks, “Is this the end of my very existence?” At that very moment, the Lord passes by causing mountains to shake, rocks to crumble, and fire to erupt!”

With jolted spirit, the humbled says, “Thank you Lord for speaking to me in such a mighty display renewing a wavering faith.” Yet, a whisper moves gently across your neck as it peacefully reaches your ear. While the earth is resting from an awe-inspiring display of His majesty, His voice, ever so softly, bends your inner ear in order to force acute concentration to His words…”I wasn’t in the mighty wind, or the earthquake, or the fire. I’m standing right next to you!”

You hit your knees as your brain begins to comprehend the magnitude not of what you witnessed with your eyes but from what you heard. You begin to understand that the Lord’s presence is strong enough to move the entire earth; yet, His voice is gentle enough to draw you away from your deepest fears, anxieties, and heartaches to a place of tranquility and peace…His gentle whisper.

My dear friends, are you watching for God to speak through a “mighty wind” or are you humbly prone listening for a gentle whisper? What a lesson in this passage!

Thought: Awake with a renewed perception of God’s voice and presence!

Thankful,

Christian Armetta

Posted on by Christian Armetta

Acoustics

Romans 8:26-27

26 In the same way the Spirit also joins to help in our weakness, because we do not know what to pray for as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with unspoken groanings. 27 And He who searches the hearts knows the Spirit’s mind-set, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

sounds

At first glance, the title of today’s blog just might frighten some of my “Communication Science and Disorders” friends because this college course in Acoustics was tough to say the least! This course included the study of all mechanical waves across all states of matter. It was intriguing and profound. This science even propelled my wife into her profession as an Audiologist. Among many related duties, she now spends her career assisting patients in sound manipulation to enhance their quality of life. Praise God for science!

Among the many lessons during this single course, I will never forget beginning to understand the complexity of our world – the things seen, unseen, tangible, and intangible. As strange as it might sound, I am always reminded of this course when I come across this passage in Romans – the groanings (i.e., sounds) of the Holy Spirit which are projected on our behalf.

For just a moment, I want you to try to comprehend the complexity of this passage – the beauty, comfort, detail, and love for every single child of God. This is not a “special” gift for some believers. This is not a special anointing or spiritual gift – so no man can boast. This is simply how the Holy Spirit works in your life while in complete unity with God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ.

During our deepest moments of weakness – when our language no longer forms through traditional routes from cognitive processing to motor planning – when the tongue can no longer find the strength to articulate the simplest of prayers…our God is still listening as the Holy Spirit speaks through “unspoken groanings” to the Father in complete agreement with His will—for there is no contradiction in their communication! PRAISE GOD!

My thoughts race as I ask, “What does this type of language and sound wave look like God? What beautiful language is coming from the Spirit?” I almost can see vivid lights erupting from the Spirit filling the Father’s ear without uttering a single word because the “unspoken groanings” are just enough! My dear friends, we can no longer believe the lies that we are (A) alone in our life’s journey or that (B) God must have abandoned us because we no longer hear Him. The truth is clearly written that the Spirit is communicating on your behalf when you truly are out of words! Yes and Amen!

Be encouraged and filled with such peace that the Spirit knows exactly what to say—when you don’t!

Question: Do you ever feel like God has stopped communicating with you?

Thankful,

Christian Armetta