October 12, 2007
Stop what you're doing other than reading this!
What do you hear?
If there's a noise, silence it. Turn off the washer, turn off the stereo and hide the wall clock under a pillow. What do you hear now?
If there's a noise, quiet it. If the only noise is the computer, print this off to read it then shut the computer down. What do you hear now?
Nothing I hope. Keep quieting things down until you've eliminated every sound you can control.
How does the silence make you feel?
Some will find it very relaxing. Some of you will find it very unnerving. For some of you, it might be the first time you've heard silence in a long time.
Even though there is silence, you're not alone. God is there even in the silence.
Sometimes when we pray, we hear silence. We wonder if God is still there and still listening. Even when the heavens seem absolutely quiet to us, God is still in control and He's still listening. He hasn't stopped working in our lives just because we don't hear Him.
King David knew what it felt like to cry out to God and not hear an answer.
Save me, O God, for the waters have come up to my neck. I sink in the miry depths, where there is no foothold. I have come into the deep waters; the floods engulf me. I am worn out calling for help; my throat is parched. My eyes fail, looking for my God. Psalm 69:1-3 NIV
He also understood that God was there and working despite the silence.
I am in pain and distress; may your salvation, O God, protect me. I will praise God's name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving. This will please the LORD more than an ox, more than a bull with its horns and hoofs. The poor will see and be glad-- you who seek God, may your hearts live! The LORD hears the needy and does not despise his captive people. Let heaven and earth praise him, the seas and all that move in them, for God will save Zion and rebuild the cities of Judah. Then people will settle there and possess it; the children of his servants will inherit it, and those who love his name will dwell there. Psalm 69:29-36 NIV
Sometimes, the quiet is the only place to hear God's voice
The LORD said, "Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by." Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. 1 Kings 19:11-12 NIV
Shhh! There's no need to fear the quiet. God is there even in the stillness.
May you rejoice at the work of the Lord when you hear and see Him and even when you don't.
No matter what; He is still there!
Darrel Mason