Every day, we’re bombarded by voices calling for our attention. News headlines, text messages, and viral videos can make it difficult to find a moment of silence, let alone focus on the things that truly matter. Find out how you can cut through the noise and hear the voice of the God who loves you in this 3-day Bible Plan based on Wonderhunt’s short film, Denial of Service.Wonderhunt
Day 1
Scripture: 1 Kings 19:9-12
Day 1: The Distractions We Face
Every day, we’re surrounded by voices calling for our attention. These voices can sound like breaking news headlines, text messages, and the latest viral videos. From the time we wake up to the time we go to sleep, it’s rare to have a moment of silence when we can hear ourselves think.
We feel the effects of this constant stimulation. We’re distracted, focused on things that don’t matter and missing out on the things that do. We’re tired, weary from having our attention pulled from one voice to another. We’re stuck in our routines, going through the same motions day after day, never finding a moment to consider if there’s a better way to live.
While no one in the Bible had to contend with text messages and viral videos, the prophet Elijah knew what it was like to feel overwhelmed. After years of being on the run and bringing the word of God to the people of Israel, he was at the end of his rope. He retreated to the wilderness, and one night, he went out on a mountain, waiting for God to pass by.
The Book of 1 Kings tells us that there on that mountain, Elijah encountered a mighty wind, followed by a powerful earthquake, followed by a blazing fire. Each of these phenomena would have been striking and attention-grabbing in its own way. But God wasn’t in the wind, the earthquake, or the fire. The life and hope Elijah was looking for were elsewhere.
A lot of times, the voices calling for our attention sound big and important. It can be easy to fool ourselves into thinking that we have to stay on top of every headline, every text, and every fad. Failing to give these voices the attention they want would be a missed opportunity or maybe even downright irresponsible.
But what if these voices—and the urgency behind them—aren’t quite as important as what they want us to think? If these aren’t the voices we should be listening to, where does that leave us?
Over the course of the next two days, we’ll spend some more time in 1 Kings 19 and unpack that question. Until then, consider the following reflection.
Reflection: Think about the voices you hear every day. What voices aren’t bringing you the life and hope you’re looking for? What would it look like to put some distance between yourself and those voices?
Prayer: Father, so many voices are calling for my attention every day. Would You give me the wisdom I need to discern what voices aren’t beneficial for my well-being—spiritual, mental, and physical? And would You help me separate myself from those voices in the future? In Jesus’ name, amen.
Day 2
Scripture: 1 Kings 19:12-13
Day 2: The Voice That Matters Most
Yesterday, we talked about how we’re surrounded by voices in this life, like news headlines and TV commercials. These voices try to tell us that it’s important that we listen to what they have to say, but often, they don’t do anything to contribute to our well-being.
With this knowledge in mind, what voices should we make a priority? What voices can offer us the life and hope we’re searching for? We’ll talk about the importance of family and friends tomorrow, but for today, we’re going to talk about the voice that matters most.
Yesterday, we left Elijah on the mountain, waiting for God to pass by. He’d heard many loud noises in quick succession—first wind, then an earthquake, then a fire. God wasn’t in any of those things.
But then, once all of the loud and attention-grabbing phenomena had passed by and everything became still, Elijah heard a faint whisper.
This quiet sound was the voice of God. He asked, simply, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
This was the voice Elijah had been waiting for. But he had to allow the noise to pass before he was able to hear what God had to say.
All of us have a need to hear the voice of God. God created us to be in a relationship with Him—if we don’t make space in our lives for that relationship, we’ll always feel as if we’re missing something. But just like Elijah experienced, the voice of God in our lives is rarely loud and attention-grabbing. Typically, we can only hear the voice of God if we slow down, quiet the other voices around us, and bring our attention to what God may be saying.
God may not speak to you in an audible whisper, but when you bring your thoughts and requests to Him, you can trust Him to respond. He can speak through the wise counsel of trusted people. Through closed doors and new opportunities. Through the cares and passions He’s put on your heart. When we quiet the voices around us and make space for God to speak, He won’t let us down.
Reflection: When was the last time you slowed down and made space to listen to what God might be trying to tell you? Set aside some time today to quiet the voices around you and listen for the voice of God.
Prayer: Father, You’re the King and Creator of the entire universe, and yet You still make time to listen to our prayers and speak to us. That’s amazing. Thank You for caring for me as much as You do. Help me to make listening to You a priority in my life this week. What do You want to say to me? In Jesus’ name, amen.
Day 3
Scripture: 1 Kings 19:14-18
Day 3: The Help We Need
Over the previous two days, we’ve talked about how we’re surrounded by voices calling out for our attention, but these voices often aren’t as important or urgent as they make themselves out to be. Instead, they distract us from hearing the voice that matters most in our lives—the quiet voice of our Father, God. By quieting the voices around us and making space for God in our lives, we can hear the life and hope that only He can offer.
But, let’s be honest. Making space for God in our lives is something done relatively easily once or twice. But making a habit of it? Over the course of a lifetime? How’s that supposed to work—especially when all of those other voices in life are still demanding our attention?
In 1 Kings 19, when Elijah was at his lowest point on the side of that mountain, he believed he was alone. When God asked Elijah what he was doing there, Elijah replied, “The Israelites have rejected your covenant, torn down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.”
When we believe we’re alone, our relationship with God suffers. None of us can remain spiritually healthy in a vacuum. We need a relationship with God, but we also need relationships with other people who can encourage us and point us toward God.
God understood this when dealing with Elijah. He told Elijah that, contrary to what he believed, thousands of people were still faithful to God in Israel. Not only that, God was going to arrange for Elijah to appoint a successor, a man who could support Elijah in the work God still had in store for him and, one day, continue that good work himself.
If we want to make a habit of making space for God and listening to His voice, we also need the encouragement of other people. We need people who will check in with us, who will ask us how we’re doing and how our time with God is going. These relationships are key to cutting through the noise and hearing the voice of God in the months and years to come.
Reflection: How can you prioritize relationships that will encourage your connection with God? What’s one thing you could do to lean into or start one of those relationships this week?
Prayer: Father, thank You for relationships. Would You point me toward the people in my life who would help me grow closer to You? People who would model what it looks like to listen to Your voice, and encourage me to listen to You, too? In Jesus’ name, amen.