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"The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is full of majesty."

~ Psalm 29:4

 

How often do you consider the voice of the LORD?  As Christians we may often talk about the LORD speaking; most often meaning through his Word the Bible (2 Timothy 3:16; John 10:27; Hebrews 1:1) or by his Spirit with our spirit (2 Peter 1:20-21; John 16:18; Romans 8:16).  Or we may consider the Creation account where “God said” (Genesis 1:3,6,9,11,14,20,24,26) and “it was so” (Genesis 1:6,9,11,15,24,30).  Perhaps you think of the word of his power by which he upholds all things (Hebrews 1:3).  Or maybe you think of God speaking with Moses face to face as a man does with his friend (Exodus 33:11). 

But what about his actual voice?  One day we will hear that voice with physical ears and I long for that day (Matthew 25:31-40; 25:23)!  Consider these verses from 1 Kings 19 before reading Psalm 29.

1 Kings 19:11-13 (God speaking to the prophet Elijah after the showdown with the prophets of Baal):

“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.  And after the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire.  And after the fire the sound of a low whisper.  And when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave.  And behold, there came a voice to him and said, ‘What are you doing here, Elijah?’”

Here we see serious and devastating effects on created things from the presence and power of the LORD.  But there is also just as much presence, power and supreme effect from the “low whisper” of God’s voice.  In this account with Elijah, this whisper of a conversation rejuvenated, commissioned and empowered Elijah to faithfully obey the LORD, defying the evil forces at work in the world at that time.  God’s voice will never return void, always accomplishing what he sets out for it to do (Isaiah 55:11). 

Considering Psalm 29’s description of “the voice of the LORD” and the details of its effect, we learn that whether God’s voice comes as thunder (v.3) or power (v.4) or fire (v.7) (or as the low whisper in 1 Kings), it’s effects display his strength (v.1,8), the splendor of his holiness (v.2), his glory (v.1,3,9), his majesty (v.4), his authority (v.5-6), his sovereignty (v.10) and his blessing (v.11).

Worship the LORD and ascribe to him his due (v.1-2)!  Search out on your own the many other verses that talk of the voice of the LORD.  Be edified and encouraged this day!