Mid-week Devotionals — Daily Journey of Faith

Mid-week Devotional:

Week of May 4, 2026

Have you ever had trouble hearing what someone was saying to you? I have. For the past 15 years I have worn hearing aids and each year when I have my hearing checked I have more hearing loss. My hearing aids help my hearing but there are still some words that I miss when I am listening to someone talk.

Here is another question for you… “Have you ever had trouble hearing God’s voice? It is not surprising if your answer is yes. The [noise and the] clatter around you, as well as … your own thoughts [tend to drown out] the clear, unmistakable sound of God speaking to you. ”(p. 54)

In the Old Testament book of 1 Kings 19:1-8 there is an account of the prophet Elijah seizing and killing all of Jezebel’s prophets in the Wadi Kishon. Queen Jezebel sent a response to Elijah’s actions saying that she would make sure that he would die for what he had done. Elijah’s response was to run away into the wilderness because he was afraid.

God did not turn away from Elijah instead God sent Elijah an angel through whom Elijah received food and water. Elijah regained his strength and walked 40 days until he reached Mount Horeb.

Scripture for this week’s mid-week devotional comes from 1 Kings 19:9b-15

Hear the Word of God.

“9…Then the word of the LORD came to him, saying, ‘What are you doing here, Elijah? 10 He answered, “I have been very zealous for the LORD, the God of hosts; for the Israelites have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. I alone am left, and they are seeking my life, to take it away. 11 He said, ‘Go out and stand on the mountain before the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by.’ Now there was a great wind, so strong that it was splitting mountains and breaking rocks in pieces 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; 12 and after the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire; and after the fire a sound of sheer silence. 13 When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. Then there came a voice to him that said, ‘What are you doing here, Elijah?” 14 He answered, ‘I have been very zealous for the LORD, the God of hosts; for the Israelites have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. I alone am left, and they are seeking my life, to take it away.’ 15 Then the LORD said to him, “Go, return on your way to the wilderness of Damascus; when you arrive, you shall anoint Hazael as king over Aram.’”

This is God’s word for God’s people. Thanks be to God. AMEN.

Today and every day, God speaks to not just some people but to all people. That means that God speaks to you every day. God doesn’t yell at you. God speaks softly and caringly just like he spoke to the prophet Elijah. God speaks to you in the “sheer silence” (v. 12b).

Your response to hearing these words may be “God only speaks to clergy.” Or maybe your response is the question, “Why would God want to speak to me?”

-It is when you set all your worries and all your what if’s aside, that you will hear what Elijah heard. You will hear God’s voice.

-In those times when you hear God’s voice, it will be in the form of “12…sheer silence.” God’s voice will be a gentle whisper to your heart and to your soul. (p. 54)

-In the quietness within your soul, God will fill your heart and your mind with love and grace.

-And it is then that you will feel God guiding you in ways to serve those in need around you.

Let us pray,

Dear God, open our ears, [our hearts, and our souls] today and in all the days ahead. We set before you all our worries and our fears. Show us the way LORD, to be your hands and feet to a world in need. In your holy name we pray. AMEN.