The Quiet Work of God

Elijah stood on the mountain, waiting for God to show up in power. First came a windstorm, then an earthquake, then fire—but the Lord was not in any of these. Finally, Elijah heard a “still small voice” (1 Kings 19:12, KJV), a “low whisper” (ESV). (More literally, this phrase is a paradox: "a sound of a finely textured silence." It is one of the great phrases of the Bible, attuning to the reality just beyond our senses.)

We often expect God to meet us in the dramatic—the miracle, the Gospel Meeting, the baptism. And, of course, God meets us in those "big" moments. But Scripture also reminds us that God often works quietly. A conversation at a kitchen table. A prayer whispered in the dark. A seed planted in a child’s heart. These don’t make headlines, but they move heaven.

Jesus compared the kingdom of God to a mustard seed—small, unnoticed at first, but growing into something far bigger than it seemed (Mark 4:30-32). He honored widows who gave quietly, and He praised those who served without seeking applause.

If you’re feeling unseen or wondering whether your quiet efforts matter, take heart: God sees. As Hagar said, our God is El-roi—the God who sees (Genesis 16:13). The Lord of hosts notices the humble, listens to the brokenhearted, and honors faithfulness in obscurity.

This week, be encouraged to keep doing the small things in faith. God is working through them in ways we may not yet understand. The quiet work of God is never wasted.