The Breath of a Gentle Wind

The greatest and most significant works are accomplished not amid great noise or some supernatural manifestations of Divine power, but very quietly and steadily. Spiritual growth takes place unnoticed. If I am constant in my intention to know God and follow Him, He will reveal to me what will help me move forward.

In the Bible, we read about some striking moments when God’s power was manifested. For example, the prophet Elijah said that there would be no rain, and there was no rain for three and a half years. Then he summoned the prophets of Baal to Mount Carmel, and we see how miraculously God answered His servant’s prayer. This striking manifestation of Divine power frightened everyone present, and in fear they fell to the ground, glorifying God. But such manifestations do not change hearts. They reveal a problem very clearly, but they do not solve it. What happened afterward? The prophet became afraid of Queen Jezebel’s threat and fled into the wilderness, wishing for death. The people returned to their homes, reflecting on what they had seen. Nowhere is it described what reforms took place in the country after such a miraculous manifestation of God’s power.

But when the prophet Elijah began supporting the schools of the prophets and teaching other people to do the same, and then passed this work on to his successor Elisha, we see what an influence it had upon Israel.

We also read that when the Holy Spirit was poured out upon Christ’s disciples on the Day of Pentecost, they began to speak with other tongues, and after Peter’s sermon several thousand people repented and accepted Jesus as their Savior.

After that, we do not see God’s power manifested in the same manner, but through the disciples’ consistent and continual ministry, the Lord added to the Church those who were being saved.

My mistake may be to expect some significant miracles so that, through them, a transformation may somehow be accomplished in people’s hearts. But miracles can amaze, yet they do not change a person’s character. Constancy in my ministry and the calm explanation of biblical truths and criteria, however, are the sowing of spiritual seed which, when it springs up, bears much fruit.

Every plant grows very quietly, and it needs certain conditions and continual watering in order to grow successfully. If this takes place, I can expect much fruit at the proper time. In nature, there is no mixture that makes the bearing of fruit instantaneous. Time and constancy accomplish this work more successfully than any miracle fertilizer.

When I enter into a special trading relationship with the Faithful Witness of Revelation 3:18, obtaining the goods He offers and using them in my life is not some noisy event. It is more like the gentle breath of the wind, which very tenderly but continually reveals to me the importance of what I am obtaining and shows me how it can be used in practical daily life.

Faith and love are a very quiet manifestation of the Holy Spirit’s power in my mind, where He persuades me to rely upon God’s Word and act according to these principles in response to the hurricane of human passions raging around me.

The righteousness of Christ is a very quiet influence upon my heart through which the Holy Spirit calls me continually to behold the Savior, study the beauty of His character, and conduct myself in this world as Jesus did.

Heavenly wisdom is the quiet instruction of the Holy Spirit through which He teaches me how to apply the Heavenly goods I have obtained to myself, to my spiritual growth, and for the benefit of other people.

Establishing a close trading relationship with the Faithful Witness is not some noisy event. It quietly arises in the heart, awakening my interest in what the Savior offers. Then a special thirst arises, because of which I quietly but continually come to the Heavenly store and quietly obtain that which gives me strength for spiritual growth and for further victories over the influence of the world and the powers of evil.

My constancy in ministry and in building personal relationships with people and with Jesus is far more important than spontaneous manifestations of God’s supernatural miracles. God sometimes manifests Himself in an unusual and loud manner. Most likely, this occurs as a sign to draw attention to Himself, but not as the principle by which human hearts are changed. Amazement and delight are not the moving motive for changing my character. But the constancy of the gentle breath of the wind is acceptable for every kind of spiritual growth and forms within me the mindset of a righteous person.

It is difficult to change a person’s life through a single sermon, but if that sermon contains the supernatural influence of the Holy Spirit, the forceful words that are spoken can show people a better path. But when seminars are conducted on a particular subject, they calmly persuade people to accept the truth and follow it. Under the influence of these persuasive and sustained discourses, a change takes place in the mind as the Holy Spirit convinces a person of the truth and prompts him to live in a new way.

There is a special power in silence through which I can hear the voice of the Holy Spirit addressing my heart. Instruction in the principles of love takes place not amid peals of thunder, but in a calmer atmosphere where my mind is attuned to receive what is being offered.

We all want miracles. We want the Holy Spirit to descend upon us in the form of fire in answer to our prayers and miraculously bless our listeners. But unfortunately, such an influence in a single occurrence will change little in a person’s soul, although it may direct him onto the true path. Yet one must walk this narrow path continually, and in order to pass successfully along it, the quiet influence of a gentle wind is needed to show the way forward and inspire the next step. Instruction in love and in the righteousness of Christ is a very quiet event taking place in my mind and heart. Love teaches me to make quiet decisions and calmly put them into practice in my life, giving all of myself to those around me without regret. The Lord instructs me without shouting, noise, or pressure, but confidently and continually. Every morning He renews His mercy and grace and remains faithful and unchanging in this approach to His chosen ones.

Jesus knows how and on what occasions to address me. A quiet and tender touch upon the strings of my soul is His method of working with His disciples. He displays neither haste nor impatience and knows how to convey the necessary information to me very calmly. He acts confidently and skillfully.

There is great persuasive power in a quiet and skillful approach, in which my mind analyzes the light it receives without pressure and agrees with God, opening my heart and persuading my will to accept the better path.

In every school, children are taught various sciences and subjects without noise or shouting. Every school curriculum is designed for a long period of setting tasks and explaining various rules and laws. This constancy attunes the minds of students to accept and assimilate the subjects being taught. And we see how many educated people enter the world after graduating from these schools. Their education took place through the quiet influence and instruction of various teachers. Spiritual instruction is built upon the same principles, and by observing these rules we quietly comprehend wise truths and make them part of our minds.

1. Please read 1 Kings 19:11–13; Zechariah 4:6; Isaiah 30:15; Hosea 6:3; Matthew 13:33; John 3:8; Acts 2:41–47; 2 Corinthians 3:18; Philippians 2:13; James 3:17–18.

2. What other Bible verses came to your mind?

3. What did you understand?

4. Why does God so often work quietly rather than through loud manifestations of power?

5. Am I seeking the unusual while neglecting what the Lord already reveals to me every day?

6. What will happen if constancy is replaced by rare moments of spiritual uplift?

7. What changes a person more powerfully: a miracle or prolonged instruction?

8. Does the Bible describe miracles that changed someone’s life? Give several examples.

9. What prevents people from continually obtaining ‘gold,’ ‘white raiment,’ and ‘eyesalve’?

10. Am I drowning out the voice of the Holy Spirit with busyness, ministry, entertainment, or constant activity?

11. Do you believe that calm instruction can change a person’s life more powerfully than an emotional sermon?

12. Do those around me see in me the calmness produced by the Holy Spirit?

13. What areas of my character is the Lord now changing without my noticing?

14. What am I ready to change today in order to learn to live under the quiet, continual, and transforming influence of the Holy Spirit?