FIRSTBORNS
“’Then you are to tell Pharaoh: “ADONAI says, ‘Isra’el is my firstborn son. I have told you to let my son go in order to worship me, but you have refused to let him go. Well, then, I will kill your firstborn!’”’”
Exodus 4:22

I was listening to a minister’s CDs recently where this verse was read. I had read it before but I guess I had read it so quick that it didn’t stick in my head. So when I heard it again, I knew I had to go back and read it. In a way, I was surprised something so blunt could be missed by me. But then again, even the simple truths seem to get hidden every now and then. They normally have to do with the lessons I either fail to learn, or the issues God has been sharing with me recently. Despite all that, this verse stuck out this time around.
In reading this verse in context, we find Moses has returned from the burning bush in the desert and has shared this new mission with his father-in-law, Jethro. Moses has asked his father-in-law if he can have permission to return to Egypt. He uses the phrase, “return to my kinsman in Egypt, to see if they are still alive.” I question if that is a piece that we miss from the burning bush, or was Moses not fully telling Jethro the truth and reason of his trip to Egypt. Nevertheless, Moses obtains the permission desired and takes his wife and sons with him.
After the granted permission and the departure, however, is Exodus 4:22. It is here that God speaks to Moses to do before Pharaoh all the wonders he has been and will be enabled to do. Knowing though that Pharaoh will resist, God tells Moses that he is supposed to tell Pharaoh what will happen if resisted. As Israel is God’s firstborn, failure to allow the firstborn to go will result in Pharaoh himself losing his firstborn. We see this played out later in Exodus 11 where the warning of this death coming is spoken of again. We also see the death angel resting over Egypt in Exodus 13:15. In all we see that God is a God of His Word.
But the part that chokes me up in reading this is that we are considered God’s firstborn. For years growing up I was raised Christian, mainly of the Charismatic denomination. Only less than ten years ago was it explained to me that I was Jewish. As such, I grew up with the mentality that I was a part of God’s family, but never that I was within the firstborn. To see these words now as a Jewish person, I find myself gleeful. While it is true I have been grafted and adopted in from my Gentile ways, I now find myself having a different outlook. God calls us His bride, His beloved, and His chosen one. But here we see that the nation of Israel is also His firstborn. Being a father of two, I know that pride that still swells in me concerning my firstborn son. I picture God the same way. There is nothing He will not do for us, but there is also a line concerning us that He draws. It is that line that God was telling Moses about. The people would go away from Egypt one way or another, but the way was already known to God. It would come down to a drawl, but God would win.
In light of all that is happening within Israel now, this same prophecy still stands. Israel has never moved from being God’s firstborn. As such, God has never moved from protecting His children. Fight as Palestine may, they will not win. God’s hand is on His child, and the end is already known.

YOUR SIN WILL FIND YOU OUT
“When [Tamar] was brought out, she sent this message to her father-in-law: ‘I am pregnant by the man to whom these things belong. Determine, I beg you, whose these are – the signet, the cords, and the staff.’”
Genesis 38:25

I would like to begin today by admitting that in the past I have done some very stupid things. I know it is hard to believe, right? Okay, maybe not so much. I will admit, I have broken things on accident and blamed the dog. I have played one too many times with matches and almost burned things down or blown things up. And I have blatantly gone against God’s word on numerous occasions. This is not something I want to just look back and laugh at, however. It is these things, these stupid choices I have made, that in many ways can prevent me from receiving the full blessing God wants to pour out on me. We see this is the life of Jacob’s son Judah and how one night with a prostitute cost him part of his blessing.
Judah was the forth son of Jacob and born to him from Leah (Gen 29:35). The Bible explains to us that he had three sons, ‘Er, Onan, and Shelah. ‘Er married Tamar, but the two were unable to conceive prior to his death. His death, however, was brought about by God because of his evil lifestyle. As was the custom, if no children were born, the second son would be wed to the first son’s wife. Soon enough, Onan became the husband of Tamar. Knowing that if he aided to her conceiving that the child would still be considered ‘Er’s, he did not release himself within Tamar. This action angered God and God put him to death as well. Now with only one son left, Judah feared his final son being killed and postponed giving him to her right away.
While out with his sheep-shearers in Timnah, Judah saw a prostitute. He made an offer and she accepted. A moment of lust and passion would cost him only one kid from his many goats. However, since he didn’t have the goat on hand, a guarantee was made. Giving her his seal, cord, and staff, and with the agreement to exchange it all for the goat later, the two engaged in passion. The next day, when he went to pay her with the goat and take back his items, the prostitute was nowhere to be found. Not wanting to make too much of a scene, he let it pass. But little did he know it would come back around.
A few months after his trip to Timnah he received word that Tamar was pregnant. Knowing he had not given his last son to her, he assumed that she had been frolicking. She was questioned in great detail as to whom this man was who had impregnated her, and her answer was stated clearly. “The owner of this signet, cords, and staff is the man I was with.” As Judah looked over these items he immediately knew they were his own. Although she had tricked him, she was also more righteous than he was as he had kept his son from her.
This story speaks many lessons. When I read it, however, I see one main point. My sins are not hidden. I understand Judah’s fear and the waiting the keep his final son from death as he had that fear. I understand Tamar wanting to make a point. But I also see clearly how what Judah thought he could dismiss was exposed. There is not one thing we can hide from God, yet it is funny how we continue to try over and over again. I want to remind you, as I myself have again been reminded, that God watches over all we do – not to smack us upside the head with a stick every time we do something wrong, but to bless us when we do right. But if we are not living right, how can He bless us? In the knowledge once more that my sins will indeed find me out, I want to review my life in full detail and end the areas in my life where I am still hoping to hide my actions from God. How about you?

NOW IS…
“For [God] says, ‘In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.’ I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.”
II Corinthians 6:2

Have you ever felt trapped by the enemy? Have you ever felt like he has you pinned down, or pushed up against the wall, or confined into a corner? Have you ever felt that no matter what you do, you can never get ahead? You pay your tithes, you give to the needy, and you keep the commandments, but still you are no better off like God’s word promises. Or how about this, do you ever feel molested by the enemy? Your wallet is molested, your health is molested, in every area you are molested? I know that feeling. I know what it feels like to at a place where nothing seems to go right, and that the more good you do, the worse your situation becomes. In those moments I find myself calling out to God, “Why? Why can’t I see a breakthrough, why can’t I get ahead, why do I find myself spinning in circles and forever attacked by the enemy?”
For those very questions, II Corinthians 6:2 was written. But let us step back a second and look at the context of this verse. It starts out saying that He, God, says something to us. The words that follow are a quote of something God has already said. “For he says, ‘In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.’” These words are quoted of God from Isaiah 49:8, and go on not only to state that in the time of His favor He hears, and in the day of salvation He helps, but also that He will keep the people Judah and make them a covenant people, restoring the land and reassigning its desolate inheritances. It is here in the letter to the Corinthians that Paul quotes these words, and offers hope. Paul adds, “I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.”
The context is great, but what does that have to do with me? Well I am glad you asked. Do you realize that God’s promises never go void? In Isaiah, these words were prophesied. In the Corinthian letter these words find their timing. Now is the time and day for favor and salvation to be found. Yet do we know what this means? Now is pretty simple, meaning NOW! Right now, at this moment, at this present spot is found the favor and timing. Now is the EUPROSDEKTOS, the well received and acceptable due period, the opportunity translated as favor. But now is also the day of SOTERIA. Soteria is Greek for deliverance, preservation, safety, and salvation. Soteria is the deliverance from the molestation of the enemy. On God’s watch, this moment is the moment for His opportunities to us and His deliverance from the enemy.
So I ask you again, have you ever felt that no matter what you do, you can never get ahead? Or do you ever feel molested by the enemy? It is time to bank on the words God first spoke to Judah through Isaiah, and Paul later spoke to us. Now is the time for it all to end. Right now is the time for your freedom. I urge you to pray. Pray the curse, known or unknown, off your life. Pray the breaking of the enemy’s schemes to keep you down. And pray in faith that though you were once down, you will no longer stay down. Right now God is reaching out to deliver you. When is the best time for this? Now is.

POWER OF PRAYER
“Isaac prayed to Adonai on behalf of his wife, because she was childless. Adonai heeded his prayer, and Rebekah became pregnant.”
Genesis 25:21

I remember well the first miscarriage that I endured. It was in August of 2000. Just a month before I was looking at a pregnancy test handed to me and trying to make sure I was reading it correctly. The idea of being a father was making me the happiest man in the world. But the joys were short lived. Soon she began to have pains and we found ourselves at the doctor’s office only to find that the baby would not be coming after all. The days that followed the miscarriage went from bad to worse as we worked through an array of emotions, even after just a month of expectancy. Since this time I have had the joy of a son, the pain once again of another loss, and the joy again of a daughter. I look at my children, though, and view them as answers to prayer. It was back in college that I began to have a strong desire to be a dad, and after many prayers I have come to walk out the answer to that prayer.
For Isaac and Rebekah, I feel it might have been the same. Instead of dealing with miscarriage, however, they dealt with a barren womb. The two did not have a chance to date and learn about each other’s past. They didn’t have the ability to learn of one another’s medical past. When they were introduced to each other, following the servant bringing Rebekah back from the homeland, they went into the tent and wed. But now, shortly after, they found themselves in a position where children were not coming. So what was the action taken? Isaac prayed.
Isaac had seen the faith of his father, Abraham. He had seen God work His miracles as he himself had been a miracle. So in learning that they would be unable to have children, Isaac prayed to God on behalf of his wife and asked that her womb be opened. God heeded his prayer. Soon after Rebekah became pregnant and gave birth to not one child, but two. But I want you to notice something in this fact. The enemy was at work. Abraham had been promised that he would be the father of many. Abraham had in all eight sons with three different women. But only one of those sons was the true promised son. But now the true promised son from whom the promise would continue was faced with the fact that his wife was barren. Right there the promise could have ended, the devil could have won, and God could have been named a liar. But, Isaac prayed.
This speaks to me because there have been times when I have been told a promise and only have seen a small portion of it come to pass. It has created in me doubt at first, but also the desire to continue to pray for the completion of the answer. As God is not one who will go back on His word and be made into a liar, it would serve us to do well to pray for the completion of what He has said. There is power in prayer, so let us not forget to lift a prayer up to Him and see what barren places in our life He will also restore.

WALK BY FAITH
“Trusting (faith) is being confident of what we hope for, convinced about things we do not see.”
Hebrews 11:1 CJB

I have shared in the past that growing up my parents were very strict in the music that they allowed us to listen to. If it didn’t praise God, it didn’t belong in the home. Well in many ways I have kept this same principle in my own home, and as such, found a song stuck in my head over the weekend. One of the many artists I listened to while growing up was Crystal Lewis; and one of my favorite songs of hers was Rock Solid. Now when I first heard this tune in 1990, rap was still cool, so I immediately feel in love with it. This weekend, though, as it played over and over in my head, the rap was the only part I could remember – and maybe for good reason. God has been speaking to me about faith recently and these lyrics address just this point. “Hold on tight / You’re almost through the night / You gotta walk by faith and not by sight. / From dusk to dawn your name will be exalted / Man what you call it, rock solid.”
So even with a cheesy line or so in rap’s early day, the message still fits for today. God is looking for those who walk by faith. The Bible records a whole chapter of men and women who walked by faith. They were honored because of this lifestyle. And it is this same lifestyle that I feel God is wanting to increase in me. Now I know that I spoke of the story of Isaac and Rebekah recently, but think back again with me on this account. Not knowing anything about Isaac but instead following the leading of God, Rebekah agreed to go with the servant to the home of Isaac. To me, that speaks of faith. By faith, Joseph saw the greater potential of his being sold into slavery by his brothers. His trust and belief in God never left but instead he kept clinging to the fact that something greater was being worked out in the background. And by faith, Joshua marched around a city whose walls were so thick that they held chariot races on top, and blew the shofar and gave a shout. Stepping out on what may have looked like insanity, the army Joshua led was victorious.
The truth is that God’s ways are not always sensible. In fact, many times they are crazy. I remember a time back in my childhood when I was at church. The minister was on the stage praying over people and invited those who had a word to come up and share. I remember feeling this nudge in my spirit to go up and say something. I fought it till finally I could no longer. I remember turning to my mom and saying, “I think I got something,” and her urging me to go up. So I spoke it to the leader. “I think someone here has athlete’s foot and God wants to heal you.” I didn’t even know what athlete’s foot was. But sure enough, people came up. In what felt like a crazy moment, God used it to build my faith in Him.
So I find myself in a place again where I hear Him speaking to me, but I am afraid to move. The words He speaks do not make sense to me. I have too many unanswered questions about what He is asking. It was for this reason I went walking yesterday. I needed time away from the TV, away from the computer, and away from all distractions so I could hear His voice once more. In some ways I was hoping to talk God out of what I felt He was saying. But instead, all I heard were these words. “Walk by faith.” It might not make sense, but His response is to walk by faith. It might not be the way I expected, yet He says to walk by faith. And I may not know the full final outcome, and still He says walk by faith. There is no point arguing any longer with God. It is time to walk by faith.

NO GO
“But the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, ‘Because you did not trust in me enough to honor me as holy in the sight of the Israelites, you will not bring this community into the land I give them.’”
Numbers 20:12

If you are like me, you have probably seen a movie or two where there is some sort of testing or launch taking place. From the control room someone says, “We have a go for take-off,” or even the opposite about having a no go. These terms of ‘go’ and ‘no go’ refer to a pass or fail principle. A boundary is being tested, a system is being reviewed, or in the case of Moses, a person’s obedience is being looked at. From the beginning of Exodus when Moses comes on to the scene, we see him as the leader who will take the masses into the Promise Land. Yet later on, we see that Moses was told he would not enter. Well I don’t know about you, but that causes me to wonder what may have happened to change God’s mind from a ‘go’ to a ‘no go’ concerning Moses. So let us a minute to take a look.
The Bible equates this mystery to a sin of Moses. In Numbers 20 we see the community had arrived at the Desert of Zin, staying at Kadesh. It was in this place that the sister of Moses and Aaron, Miriam, has passed away. I am sure that the brothers were still grieving the loss of their sister when they were approached by the people of the community that there was no water. But it wasn’t only that the people announced there was no water, it was how they announced it. In whining and complaining they made it clear there was no water, asking why they were taken from Egypt into the forsaken desert with no luxuries only to die of thirst. Moses had heard it all before and I can only imagine how this time grated him once more.
As a parent I have been there. How many times have I heard my kids not only make me aware of something, but continue to make it known in whines, sarcasms, and threats? After a while it begins to take a toll on me. I promise I am not deaf and heard the first time, but the consistent manner in which my kids make it known in these times puts me over the edge…and I snap. I snap, much like Moses did. Understand please, that Moses went and sought the LORD in this manner and was told to speak to the rock in order for water to flow. Yet when Moses got to the rock, he did not speak. Add together these two things and you see why. His sister was recently deceased and the people were speaking out their frustrations. Moses had had enough. He approached the rock, gave a smart-mouthed comment to the people, and then struck it.
God was faithful and provided water nonetheless, but in Number 20:12 He also banned Moses and Aaron from entering into the promise. Suddenly everything changed and it all hinged on the fact that Moses disobeyed God. So there you have it, mystery solved. But I would like to suggest something a little deeper for you to think on. This was not the first act of disobedience for Moses. He too had sinned and been forgiven of. The greater lesson here is in the anger of Moses. It was his anger that kept him out of the Promise Land. Look back with me. Early in his life, while still in Egypt, Moses saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew man and killed the Egyptian in anger. Later on while on Mount Sinai Moses received the Ten Commandments. Because of his absence the people thought something had happened to him and they fashioned the golden calf. Coming down the mountain, hearing the party, Moses looked and saw them worshipping a false god and in anger chucked the tablets so hard they broke. And now again, in anger, he hit the rock as opposed to speaking to it. The man had an anger problem.
I do not want to find the same fate as Moses. Knowing that the curse of anger prevented Moses from his blessing, I do not want this to be the same for you or me. Moses came right up to the border of the Promise Land but never got to go in. When he should have heard ‘go’, he heard ‘no go’ instead. Let us not have the same ending as Moses. Let us do away with anger, break the curse of anger on us and those after us. Let us do it now before we explode even once more, and that once more be our final time. Anger is a trap – do not let it catch you.

THE VOICE part 4
“But the angel of the LORD called out to him from heaven, ‘Abraham! Abraham!’
“’Here I am,’ he replied.”
Genesis 22:11

I have a Jewish mentor that I have been speaking with the past couple weeks. Now while we do not see eye to eye in every part of the Jewish lifestyle, this past conversation proved to be beneficial. We found ourselves discussing the story of Abraham sacrificing Isaac, a well known story indeed. In speaking with him, however, I came to realize that there is more to this account than I originally thought. But I also realized that this account revolves around a voice – His voice, and whether or not both Abraham and Isaac would obey. I will do my best to explain what I mean.
We all know the story. Isaac, the promised child, finally made his debut into the world. Yet not too long after we read that God was asking Abraham to sacrifice his son. Now if I put myself in Abraham’s shoes I am more likely to perhaps understand some of his feelings and emotions. The first one that comes to mind is disbelief. My gut asks, “Did I hear you right? You want me to do what?” For so long Abraham had held to this promise that he would be the father of many, he would have children as numerous as the sand and stars, and now having only one son he was being asked to lay him down. But then I think my disbelief would soon give way to frustration. I think I would find myself becoming angry with God, almost as if for so long He had taunted me and was now taking away that which was close.
I give credit to Abraham, though, because I think he was a better man than I. Even with all these thoughts racing through his head, he still decided to follow after God’s command. Now while I consider myself one to want to do as God says, I cannot say I would have laid my child on the altar. And I must also give credit to Isaac. Despite what we want to believe, Isaac was in his twenties when this event happened. He grew up already knowing the details of the sacrifice. And even as such, he asked where the lamb was as they walked up the hill. Perhaps at that moment he realized the extent of what was about to happen. We give credit Abraham for being faithful, but we also need to realize the faith Isaac had. In my eyes this makes Abraham’s words to his servant, “We will both return,” even stronger. Both the men had to place their full faith in Adonai.
Now, with Isaac on the altar, I picture Abraham once more pleading with God to let this moment pass. With frustration still in his countenance, however, he proceeds to give his son over to God. Then, at what may have seemed like the last minute, God’s voice boomed onto the scene and called out, “Abraham! Abraham!” Although there may have been relief in that moment, it is possible there may have been more frustration. What else was God about to ask Abraham to do? Who else would need to be laid on the altar? But instead of giving another task, God commended Abraham for his obedience.
There will times when God asks us to do what seems impossible. I cannot imagine giving up one of my children on the altar. But there have been things that in my life have seemed just as huge. When we hear His voice calling, will we obey? Sure it is easy in the simple things, the little things that do not take a great deal of faith or effort. But what about in the big things? Will we obey His voice? I wish I could tell that I have mastered it. I wish I could you that I am “Dan the faith Man”. But I cannot because I am not. I am one, though, who wants to hear His voice, wants to obey, and wants to master. It all starts with knowing His voice.

THE VOICE part 3
“The LORD came and stood there, calling as at the other times, ‘Samuel! Samuel!’
“Then Samuel said, ‘Speak, for your servant is listening.’”
I Samuel 3:10

I have been a father now for ten years and I must admit, I love it. I love the hugs, the homemade gifts and drawn pictures, the way they call my name and need my help. This list could go on and on. But with the good times come the bad. There are a few pieces I do not like about fatherhood as well. I am not a big fan of cleaning up their toys, not a big lover of de-germing the bathroom after a stomach bug spell, and I’m not big on how disciplining them makes me feel afterward. Those things honestly do hurt me more than it hurts them. Yet still, I wouldn’t trade my role as their father. There is nothing that compares to my children coming to me asking for advice, or to have me read a book to them, or just to snuggle. It is in these times I am able to share with them and they are quiet enough to listen. But it takes the being quiet to hear. Trust me, this is a lesson I have learned firsthand.
In I Samuel 3, Samuel as well learned the value of listening. This book in the Bible starts out with Hannah, a barren woman, seeking to have a child. While visiting the city of Shiloh for the family’s yearly sacrifice, Hannah was met by the priest, Eli, who in the end advised her that God had heard her prayer for a son. Keeping her word to God, once Samuel was weaned she took him to Eli as promised. The child began ministering under the direction and leadership of Eli and continued on for some time. Now the Bible points out in I Samuel 3:1 that in those days the voice of God rarely spoke. Perhaps that reason alone is what makes this account so awesome, because God chose to speak to Samuel.
Now at first, Samuel did not know the voice of God verses the voice of man. When Samuel heard a voice calling his name, he quickly got up and ran to Eli’s side, thinking it was he who had called. But it wasn’t. Samuel then left Eli’s side and went back to bed. But the voice was heard again, and again Samuel got up and went to Eli’s side, asking why he called. Again the old priest stated he had not called for the boy. A third time Samuel was awakened by the voice, and a third time he rushed to Eli only to be told that Eli was not calling him. It was then, however, that the light bulb came on. Eli realized that the voice Samuel was hearing was the voice of God. Giving instruction to Samuel of how to respond should it happen again, the boy went back to lie down.
God called out a fourth time to Samuel, and at this beckoning Samuel responded, “Speak, for your servant is listening.” It is in this back and forth that I find myself. How so, you may wonder? Well like Samuel I hear a voice calling to me, but I am not always sure where the voice is coming from. I am getting better at discerning the voice, but I am still not the greatest at it. There are times I will hear a voice and think it is God when really it is my flesh, and there are times when I hear a voice and think it is my flesh only to learn later it was God prompting me. Back and forth I go when in reality I just want to hear from God without myself getting in the way. Is this possible? I believe so, if…
In John 10:22-27, as Jesus was celebrating Chanukah (the Feast of Dedication), the Jews gathered around Him and asked that He plainly tell them if He was or was not the Christ. His response to them was He had told them and they did not believe. He then explained that His sheep listen and follow. That is the answer. Is it possible to hear from God without me getting in the way? Yes, but only when I as his sheep know his voice. I can’t know of His voice, or be told via someone else what He said. I, me, Dan, need to know His voice for myself. You need to know His voice yourself. Every other voice is hot air.

THE VOICE part 2
“After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper.”
I Kings 19:12

Yesterday I shared with you concerning the voice of the blind man who, when hushed, only cried out louder. The point I wanted us to see was that his being blind was only part of the story, and I venture to say the part we get stuck on. But the deeper truth is that Bartimaeus made himself known. He yelled, hollered, and screamed in order for Jesus to hear him. Yet I want to contrast this story with another one having to do with a voice. You see, there is nothing wrong with us being loud in order to get His attention, but are we being quiet enough to listen as well? While God sometimes speaks in the booms, He also speaks in the still small voice.
This is probably a story we all know, and honestly is one I find myself camping out at often. Through a series of events in his dealings with King Ahab and Queen Jezebel of Israel, Elijah finds himself fleeing to Mount Horeb. After attended by an angel, he traveled for forty days and nights before reaching his destination. When he got there, God questioned, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” It was at this point that Elijah pleaded his case. To put it frankly, Elijah was a wanted man. The ruling parties of Israel were looking to do to him as they did to the other prophets – kill him. Elijah was running for his life. Now maybe he was freaking out, maybe he had a meltdown, maybe the stress of being a prophet was getting to him, but despite the reason, he was running. God heard his reason and then told him to stand on the mountain and wait for His presence.
A series of events took place once Elijah got to the top of the mountain. First, a great and powerful wind swept over the mountain. Now let us not breeze (pun intended) over this piece. The Bible records in I Kings 19:11 that this wind was so strong that it tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks. I don’t know about you, but that to me sounds like some pretty strong wind. And yet, God was not in wind. Following the wind came an earthquake. As one who grew up in southern California, I have been through my share of earthquakes. Of all the natural disasters that could come, it is the earthquake I fear the most. Why? Because it is the one disaster you never know is coming. And still we read that God was not in the earthquake. The next to follow was a fire. This fire could have been a result from the earthquake I guess, but I choose to believe it was more of a supernatural fire that started in Elijah’s sight. Yet still we read that God was not in the fire.
After the blowing, after the shaking, and after the burning, then came the non-expected. Following all the great powerhouse, eye-catching, moments came the still small voice. Defined in Hebrew, it was the calm yet fine whispered sound of God. This small voice, though, had such an impact. Elijah then covered his face with his cloak, his prophet’s garment, as he stood at the mouth of the cave he had once rested in. It is in this place I want to find myself. I do not want to get so confused with the voices that speak in the wind, the earthquake, and the fire when God’s voice is not in them. Instead I want to bypass these and find God speaking in the quiet whisper. But perhaps I am the wind, for I blow enough hot air. Perhaps I am the earthquake, for I shake my hands in frustration when His answer doesn’t come. And perhaps I am the fire, for in my frustration I also find anger. It is only when these disasters subside, and I calm myself in His presence, that I can truly hear His voice. He is not silent, but am I listening?