After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper.
1 Kings 19:12 (NIV)
If you read the whole chapter, you will see that Elijah, at one point in his life, feeling threatened, cried out to the Lord to take his life. He believed that even his position as a prophet did not make him different or better than others. This is a situation we face daily, despite our faith in God, we see ourselves going through obstacles that we believe should be reserved for those who do not believe in God.
Elijah probably expected an angry response from God to support him against Jezebel. But that's not what God did. Even when God wanted to manifest himself to Elijah, he showed him that his ways were not his. God was not in the violent wind, he was not in the earthquake, nor was he in the fire. Finally, it took a soft, light whisper to touch Elijah's soul. You see, God has a different way of revealing Himself to us and displaying His glory.
I know many Christians who, after being victims of their brother's actions, run directly to God to ask for justice. Besides, when we hear them complain, it is not justice they want but revenge. Some of them take revenge on themselves. But, let me tell you, vengeance belongs to God and Him alone. He will always exercise it in a different way because what he seeks is repentance and not the destruction of the other.
May the grace and the peace of God be with you all.
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