The Strength of Silence
Let’s talk about silence. As I write this today, I am sitting in silence. Well, almost. The birds are waking each other up on an overcast morning. I hear light rain on the trees and a drip from the gutters. I suppose if we wanted to experience complete silence, I might need to get in one of those sensory deprivation tanks, but I will pass on that.
“For God alone my soul waits in silence.” That is David’s opening sentence in Psalm 62. I suppose David had less noise than we do. Our technology and communication gadgets make it nearly impossible to find silence. We could put them in a sensory deprivation tank and maybe find silence! But then we would have to deal with our unspoken addiction to information.
There is a silence that comes from a deliberate act on our part when we choose to unplug and stop moving and striving. And then to listen for the voice of God. David knew what we suspect is true but also fear: it is good to be alone with God. In silence we can know his presence, but his presence is also what we sometimes avoid because of what we might learn about ourselves.
There is also a stubborn silence. Maybe our best example in scripture of stubborn silence is found in the book of Jonah. The whole book screams of this stubborn silence of the prophet Jonah who angrily complained to God because of God’s mercy and unfailing love for the children of Nineveh when God responded to the king and the adults of this city as they repented of their sins. It won’t take you five minutes to read the book for yourself, but it will require you to be still and silent long enough to hear God’s voice.
It appears that David pursued silence even in, maybe especially in, times of great hardship when he was pursued by those who sought to bring him down. Whoever his opponent was, they did what opposition often does; they tell lies, spread rumors, and seek to promote their own fame. Consider some of the phrases David used to describe his opponents:
“They attack a man to batter him, like a leaning wall, a tottering fence.”
“They plan to throw him down from his high position.”
“They take pleasure in falsehood.”
“They bless with their mouths, but inwardly curse.”
And instead of fighting back, David did the following. He chose silence and affirmed his confidence in God as his source of strength and eventual victory. In this psalm, David:
Waits in silence
Puts his hope in God
Reminds himself that God is his rock and salvation, his fortress; he shall not be shaken.
Tell himself that on God rests his salvation and his glory, his mighty rock, his refuge is God.
Trusts in him at all times
Whatever you are facing today, it is a good time to begin by seeking some silence. Go find a place outside or maybe in a room with a view of God’s creation. Turn off your devices—all of them—and be still before the God of heaven. He will meet you there. And in the silence, you will find strength for the day and victory will follow one day soon.
Father, thank you for the reminder from Psalm 62 that silence is where you meet us and where you secure our victory. Today we choose to put our trust in you and you alone. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Your Time with God’s Word
Psalm 62:1-12 ESV
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