And After the Earthquake a Fire
"And After the Earthquake a Fire."—What application does this have to San Francisco?—Specifically, it does not apply. Generally, ethically, it has tremendous application. Read the whole passage from which it is taken. To Elijah and his work, representative of John the Baptist and his work, representative of God's last great threefold message and people, came this experience: "He [God] said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before Jehovah. And, behold, Jehovah passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before Jehovah; but Jehovah was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake; but Jehovah was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire; but Jehovah was not in the fire; and after the fire a still, small voice." 1 Kings 19:11, 12. By whirlwind and storm and tempest and earthquake and fire judgments from God's perverted law have come upon the world. These always cause great fear and trembling. The lesson which God would have us learn as well as Elijah is that while these may startle men, may arouse them to a sense of their helplessness, there is no saving power in them. Jehovah is Creator, and Saviour. He is not in the earthquake nor fire, but in the still, small voice which speaks to the soul and changes the life and character. Blessed be those who look beyond the earthquake, beyond the fire, to the power of God which changes the life in the secret recesses of the soul.