Hear this, all peoples; Listen, all inhabitants of the world, Psalm 49:1
I am humbled and filled with grateful amazement each and every time that the Lord chooses to speak to in the wee hours of the morning. They often seem to be simple straight forward ideas and principles that if considered and applied will bring us closer to Him and make our spiritual lives so much richer and fuller.
Whether it was from a pulpit, sitting in a living room, or in a classroom, we have all heard and many of us have said the following statement – “God gave us two ears and one mouth for a reason. We need to listen more than we talk.”
Scripture says it this way –
You know this, my beloved brothers and sisters. Now everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger; James 1:19
In fact, from the beginning, God has wanted nothing more than to walk and talk with humankind as part of a close and intimate relationship. Consider this interaction between Him and Adam and Eve.
Now they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. But the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?” Genesis 3:8-9
When I read this simple verse It is my belief that when the Father came walking in the garden that evening it was something that He did on a regular basis. Secondly, He didn’t need to call them; He knew exactly where they were. He simply wanted them to know that he was seeking them out. Just like He seeks us out.
Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. Revelation 3:20
Unfortunately, most of us are so busy “doing” we have forgotten the “being.” We have so many voices and distractions filling our ears and eyes; so many thoughts and concerns filling our hearts and minds that we have forgotten what the voice of the “Good Shepherd” sounds like. Yet, just like He did Adam and Eve, He still calls, “Where are you?” He stands at the door, knocking and asking, “Are you there? Is anyone home?”
It’s for this reason that I believe one of my wife’s favorite verses is just as important for our time as any, if not more.
He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;” Psalms 46:10
The Hebrew word translated “Be still” is “raphah.” Which can also mean – To relax, to let go, to cease, to be idle.
Let me spell it out to you in modern English, “Sit down and shut up!”
Which brings us back to where we started with the title “The Power of Silence “
The scriptures repeatedly call us to “listen.”
Here are just a few of examples –
“Listen to instruction and be wise, And do not neglect it. Proverbs 8:33
Listen and hear my voice, Pay attention and hear my words. Isaiah 28:23
“Listen to Me, you stubborn-minded, Who are far from righteousness. Isaiah 46:12
So why is it so important that we listen to His voice and instructions?
Because, as Isaiah 46:12 says, we are “stubborn minded.”
Later Isaiah also stated:
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. For as the rain cometh down, and see the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. Isaiah 55:8-11
Look at some of the points of this passage –
- For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
- Neither are your ways my ways,
- My ways higher than your ways,
- My thoughts are higher than your thoughts.
- My word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void,
- It shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.
Therein lies the power of silence! When we slow down, get still and get quiet then our ears, minds, and hearts are open to hear, understand, and receive from His voice, knowledge and wisdom.
For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. 1 Corinthians 13:12
When I spend time in still silence listening I get to know Him. He reveals His heart. The more time I spend with Him, I become more like Him. As time goes on, I am transformed and when I look in the mirror, I no longer see my reflection, but His.
Jesus, our ultimate example, on multiple occasions, spent time away from everyone else in solitude and prayed and I am sure listened to the Father.
If He. the Son of God, needed that time of solitude and silence, how much more do we?
Will you slow down, get still and get silent?
Will you discover the power of silence?
Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. Psalms 27:14