Proverbs 1:33 But whoso hearkens unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil.
Spanish Proverb: Don’t speak unless you can improve the silence.
When I was a young boy I spent a few summers with my grandfather on his old farm property in northern Ontario. Every summer he lived in a big one room cabin not far from the farmhouse on the property. I had free range of the cabin and property with pasture lands, creek, trees and bushland to wander throughout and use my boyish imagination. Raspberry bushes in full clusters were so much taller than I was and the berries were accessible for eating to the full.
My grandfather had a friend who cared for a big old black bear and another friend who had two huge ravens as pets. I was wide-eyed when we visited these reclusive men. When asked what I wanted for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, I said without hesitation, “Pancakes, please.” To me, this was my summer odyssey and I was living a dream in Paradise. Isa. 32:18 And my people shall dwell in a peaceable habitation, and in sure dwellings, and in quiet resting places.
One of the amazing things I remember the most was the quiet living conditions. My grandfather and I could be in the cabin, both busy with our own interests, and there was peace and quiet. There seemed to be no need for canned phrases or chattering for the sake of having something to say. We did not need noisy sounds to fill in the void of quiet pleasantness. The fact that I was in my grandfather’s presence was safe and good.
I did not need the constant assurance of small talk to prove his love for me because I knew he loved me – after all, I got pancakes whenever I asked for them. If that is not love, then what is? Just being with him and in his presence was satisfying, plus the silence was a refreshing balm to my soul. Quiet was good and in that silence there was a blessed assurance of being because my grandfather was there, strong and able. What else did I need? Eccl. 9:17 The quiet words of the wise are more to be heeded than the shouts of a ruler of fools.
I did not need the constant assurance of small talk to prove his love for me because I knew he loved me – after all, I got pancakes whenever I asked for them. If that is not love, then what is? Just being with him and in his presence was satisfying, plus the silence was a refreshing balm to my soul. Quiet was good and in that silence there was a blessed assurance of being because my grandfather was there, strong and able. What else did I need? Eccl. 9:17 The quiet words of the wise are more to be heeded than the shouts of a ruler of fools.
God asks us to be still and know that He is there and able. He admonishes us to remember that He is our God and we are His people. Psalm 46:10a Be still, and know that I am God. We can sit, walk, or run without saying anything and be with the Lord. We can sit in His presence and smile at the fact that He is God and He lives within us. Acts 17:28a For in him we live, and move, and have our being.
We do not have to be chattering all the time for the sake of saying something – hoping God notices us or gets our meaning. Being performance oriented because of uncertain acceptance by God is not necessary as God has already accepted us through Christ. Some people cannot be quiet or able to enjoy the quiet times with God. They think they need to be saying, doing, or acting out some kind of ritual for God or man to be accepted and loved.
Shush – just be quiet for awhile and listen for what the Lord will say. 1 Kings 19:11 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. 12 After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper.
Yes, there are many times when we are to shout from the rooftops and in the streets the victory our God has given us. How true it is that we should come together and sing praises and worship aloud so that the heavens can hear our hearts. We want to express great joy and happiness in the Lord with crashing cymbals and trumpet blasts that declare how great and marvelous our God is. Never stop doing these acts of love and faith in our God, for this is the will of God for us toward Him. However, when the time comes for us to rest in His quiet strength, let us enjoy the healing love that comes through those times. Sng. 2:4 He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love.
Prepare yourself for the quiet moments and places God has created for those who love Him. Psalm 23:2 He lets me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. Take time and sit in His presence and hear the beauty of His whispered words of encouragement, blessing and love that give strength and eternal hope to our soul. Shush now, and be quiet. God is talking to you.
I am one who feels God in the quiet…this spoke to me.