Daily Devotional

“Behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the Lord but the LORD was not in the wind” (Kings 19:11).

Over one billion people across the planet suffer from hearing loss. Some have a partial hearing impairment while others are completely deaf. Hearing loss may happen in one ear or both ears. It can make it difficult for children to learn to speak and it can cause loneliness—especially for older people. 

There are several factors that cause the loss of hearing. Some are genetics, aging, exposure to loud noise, infections, birth complications, trauma to the ear, and certain medications. Half of all hearing impairment is preventable. Those who work around loud machinery should wear hearing protection. Growing numbers of teenagers experience permanent hearing loss by listening to personal audio devices at damaging volumes for sustained periods of time. 

Elijah had a temporary spiritual hearing impairment. He had been listening to loud voices in his own mind. When God asked the runaway prophet what he was doing hiding in a cave, he responded, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God of hosts; for the children of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I alone am left; and they seek to take my life” (1 Kings 19:10). Was Elijah truly alone? 

God provided His frightened servant a hearing recovery program. After exposing him to a mighty wind, a frightening earthquake, and a roaring inferno, the Lord spoke quietly in a “still small voice” (verse 12). Then God spoke truth into the ears of Elijah. He told the depressed and lonely man that he was not alone, that there were other believers, that he still had some work to do, and that he was to anoint Elisha to take his place. 

Can you hear the Lord whispering to your heart? Maybe you need to turn down the volume of your own unbelief and listen to His Word. “Oh, that My people would listen to Me, that Israel would walk in My ways!” (Psalm 81:13). 

O God, I will tune my ears to hear Your voice by turning down all the distracting sounds of the world.