(1Kgs.19:9a,11-13a; Ps.85:8-14; Rm.9:1-5; Mt.14:22-33) "When he heard this, Elijah hid his face in his cloak and went and stood at the entrance to the cave." For the Lord was in the "tiny whispering sound." God speaks in silence. His Word sinks deeply into our souls, piercing the spirit within us, and so what can we be but afraid? His still, small voice brings us into His awesome presence. Brothers and sisters, it is the same NAME of God revealed to Moses the lawgiver that is spoken to Elijah the prophet here on the same "mountain of God, Horeb." This WORD, this NAME (YHWH), invokes fear, for it silences the tongue, stilling all distraction we might make, and so allows the purity of God to pass into us. What but fear, what but holy wonder, can penetrate our very bones when we become thus surrounded by His presence, when He penetrates the core of our being? "The Lord will be passing by" is the promise made to Elijah; and in the silent WORD the Lord's promise is kept. And is it not this same WORD in which Jesus rested when "He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray"? Is it not this same WORD the Lord brought to Peter and the apostles when He "came toward them walking on the sea" as their boat "was being tossed about by the waves"? As He stepped into the boat with His blessed Rock, is it not so that "the wind died down"? My brothers and sisters, Jesus is this WORD spoken to Elijah, this NAME given Moses, made flesh in our midst. And in His presence "the strong and heavy wind," "the earthquake," and "the fire" become as nothing, as all distractions cease and we find ourselves at the feet of "the Son of God." Upon coming from this mountain Moses led his people out of Egypt. Upon coming from this mountain Elijah will anoint a king and a prophet to succeed him. Upon coming from the silence of the mountain Jesus – as He did before in calling His twelve apostles – comes to confirm the call upon Peter and his brothers even as He sees that His mission must increase with the death of John the Baptist. From the silent WORD all is spoken. It is His NAME for which we must listen, that we might "speak the truth in Christ." "Near indeed is His salvation to those who fear Him, glory dwelling in our land." And so, let us "hear what God proclaims; the Lord – for He proclaims peace," and in His peace alone will we discover our true and lasting home. (Fear not the troubling of your soul; He breathes a light calm upon the waters.) Written, read & chanted, and produced by James Kurt. Music: "WH" from Breath, the Apple Rises, fifth album of Songs for Children of Light, by James Kurt. ******* O LORD, our hope is in you; may we patiently await the coming of your kingdom. YHWH, how we hope for your kindness to deliver us from death, to save us from our adversaries, even from our very selves. We place all our trust in you – O may our faith soon be rewarded! If we but had the faith of Abraham, dear LORD, blessed as he would we be, with no fear for the impending darkness, with hearts set solely on your coming light. The salvation of the just let us await with steadfast hearts, knowing well that you are faithful to all your promises and that you have promised a heavenly dwelling to all who seek their place with you. To this earth let us not be attached; all of this world let us offer freely to you. You are our only treasure, dear God – you are all that is worthy of our concern. And so, let us await your Son's return with loins girded and lamps burning. Let us be ever vigilant for His coming, serving well your holy will all our days, and our inheritance we shall find in you.