Communication has been greatly magnified through technology. Television and movies, for instance, have intensified the impact of information on human thought. Their "voice" may often be alluring to the senses—or shocking—and their influence on human thinking is pervasive and not always beneficial.
The "still small voice" of Truth, however, presents the opposite concept—real communication and its power and influence for good. The Bible gives an example of how this inner voice of God lifted a man out of discouragement and danger. The prophet Elijah had helped the people turn away from idolatry by a convincing demonstration of God's spiritual power. With great courage he had defied the king and queen of Israel and had challenged the four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal to a test so the people could decide for themselves whether God or Baal was to be worshiped in Israel. At Elijah's request all Israel gathered to watch the trial and to see which deity would light the altar by fire. When the fire came in response to Elijah's prayer, all the people acknowledged, "The Lord, he is the God; the Lord, he is the God,"I Kings 18:39. and the prophets of Baal were slain.
As a result of the resistance this aroused, Elijah was forced to flee for his life, coming eventually to a cave on Mount Horeb. Although beset by discouragement, he was roused by "the word of the Lord": "What doest thou here, Elijah? . . . Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the Lord."I Kings 19:9, 11. When he was obedient and faced the destructive claims of evil, he saw that God was not in the wind, earthquake, and fire that raged in turn around him. After the turmoil he heard "a still small voice,"I Kings 19:12. which brought new direction to his life. He found that he was not alone in his work, but was provided with a companion and helper and the support of seven thousand loyal Israelites. He saw the way to continue his prophetic mission.
