11/27/21 by Larry Barker
There are certain parts of scripture that are especially challenging to all of us. One example is Psalm 46:10, “Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.” Another would have to be Psalm 27:14, “Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and He shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.” One day years ago I turned to my wife and I asked, “What is it like being married to a guy who does not wait for God to open doors but tends to kick them in?” She replied, “I have kind of gotten used to it!” The truth hurts but everyone needs someone who loves them enough to speak it.
In Exodus 14 the children of Israel had left Egypt and the Red Sea is before them with the Egyptian army closing in from behind. The scriptures say they were terrified and cried out to the Lord for His help. Have you been there before? Can you relate to not being sure what to do or how to handle a certain situation? Ever felt like you were completely in over your head? Moses tells them to not be afraid but to watch and see God’s deliverance. In Exodus 14:14 Moses says, “The Lord will fight for you; you must be quiet.” Wow, there’s another challenging thing for many, remaining quiet.
There is certainly something big to His command to us in Psalm 46:10 to be still and know that He is God. I am not really good at being still but would much rather be busy and active. You know, you need to make things happen and you are either a part of the problem or you are part of the solution. Yet, there are several biblical examples where God speaks His loudest when we are our quietest. He spoke to Elijah in a still small voice while He was in a quiet place and it has been well said that quiet is the think tank of the soul. It is far too easy to become human doings rather than human beings.
How good are you at listening? Stillness gives you the opportunity to slow down, be still, and then in the silence hear from God. Resist the temptation to always be speaking and instead listen closely in a daily place where you are without distraction and ready for God’s direction and instruction. Silence is not the practice of only waiting in a passive posture but instead listening in a very proactive manner. If you are ready to listen and ready to pray a very dangerous prayer then pray what Samuel prayed, “Speak (Lord), for your servant is listening.” Be still and get alone with Him and His word.
In Whisper: How To Hear the Voice of God Mark Batterson says, “If you want to hear the heart of God, silence is the key. If you want the Spirit of God to fill you, be still.” Stillness and silence are the biggest challenges of our being able to retreat with God where we can be encouraged and refreshed by Him. We all need that quiet place where we can rest in Him. For prayer to truly be communicating with God it requires not only talking with Him but also listening to Him. The Psalmist reminds us in 84:10 that, “Better a day in Your courts than a thousand anywhere else.”
Once again quoting Mark Batterson, “If we want to do more by doing less, we need to get into God’s presence. It’s our most efficient use of time, by a factor of a thousand. And quiet is the key.” Elijah, Isaiah, Paul, John, and many others heard the voice of the Lord because they were in His presence. Hearing from the Lord demands a quiet place of solitude, stillness, and silence but it also requires a willingness to wait on the Lord. Waiting requires trusting God’s timing and His plan. It requires believing that He is in time, on time, every time. Waiting requires patience and trust in Him even when He seems to be silent.
Even though you may not be good at waiting and would rather make things happen on your own you must see the wisdom of seeking His instruction and not moving forward without Him. Mark Batterson continues, “Silence is the difference between sight and insight. Silence is the difference between happiness and joy. Silence is the difference between fear and faith.” Silence could well be the difference between what you can accomplish and what God can accomplish. God’s instructions many times will not make sense to us when He calls on us to wait, be still, or go the extra mile but you can always trust His voice.
One anonymous quote says, “The devil wants you to worry about what’s next so you can’t enjoy what’s now. The devil is a liar. Stop worrying. Always focus on God and enjoy every single day He has given.” In Psalm 27:4 David reminds us that even when the enemy is closing in on us, “I have asked one thing from the Lord; it is what I desire: to dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, gazing on the beauty of the Lord.”
Hear God’s voice through the challenges given to us in His written Word. Be still. Be quiet. Be alone with Him in silence. He tells us to seek Him, abide in Him, rest in Him, trust Him, talk with Him! Prayer and communion with God are a two-way street where when you pray God listens and when you are ready to listen God speaks. Listening will require stillness and silence!