“But when God wants to be heard, when what He has to say is too important to miss, He often speaks in a whisper just above the absolute threshold of hearing. The question of course is why. And how. And when and where (emphasis author’s).”- Mark Batterson
“Just because you can’t hear a sound doesn’t mean it isn’t there.”- Maggie Koerth-Baker, New York Times columnist
In Chapter 1 (“The Bravest Prayer”) of Whisper, Mark Batterson notes that God possesses an outside voice. And He’s not afraid to use it. But when God really wants to get our attention, He often “speaks in a whisper just above the absolute threshold of hearing.” Thus, Pastor Batterson seeks to explore and answer the questions of why, how, when, and where God speaks in a whisper in the pages of this book.
Citing 1 Kings 19:12 — “After the fire came a gentle whisper” — Mark states the Hebrew word for “whisper”, demamah, translates as “silence” or “calmness” or “stillness.” Furthermore, Psalm 107:29 uses demamah to describe the way God delivers us from our distress. The passage reads – “He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed.”
Hence, while God speaks in a gently whisper, nothing is more powerful. For, Pastor Batterson observes, God created Adam as He whispered into the dust. Therefore, not only was Adam once a whisper, but so are you! And everything else in creation.
Most noteworthy, whisper seems to function as God’s preferred method of intimate communication. When God whispers, we lean toward Him. That’s exactly what God wants. Our heavenly Father speaks in a whisper so He’s as close to us a divinely possible.
Finally, writing in My Utmost for His Highest, Oswald Chambers states:
“The voice of the Spirit is as gentle as a zephyr. So gentle that unless you are living in perfect communion with God, you never hear it.”
Today’s question: How does God use whisper to talk intimately with you? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: the annotated bibliography of Still Waiting
