“Be silent before the Sovereign Lord”
Zephaniah 1:7
Silence and solitude, as spiritual disciplines, are very rarely talked about. This has never been truer than in our modern always-streaming, on-demand, made-to-order, online, no contract, unlimited data, always connected society. We long to get the updates and to be heard. Call it narcissism, modernism, or some other ‘ism’—we are pathetically and desperately crushed by our inability to “be silent before the SOVEREIGN LORD”. Look at social media. Look at our conversations. Look at our worship services—ouch! We talk too much.
I have never been more convinced of this and more convicted of this than when I read Donald Whitney’s book, Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life. In it, he outlines the long-lost discipline of silence and solitude as not only Christlike but also Christ-worshiping. Over the years I have found that I cannot go without times of silence and solitude. I have come to cherish these times, and spiritual disciplines as a whole, to “apply the heart to discipline” (Proverbs 23:12) “for the purpose of Godliness” (1 Timothy 4:7).
Although western culture has an aversion to quiet, we see in Scripture Jesus who was led by the Spirit to solitude for prayer and fasting (Luke 4:1). We see Him regularly go up to mountainsides to pray alone (Matthew 14:23), often very early in the morning (Mark 1:35), often to solitary places (Luke 4:42), and it was very normal for Jesus to do so. Contrast this behavior with our modern culture and it would appear we’re missing out on a blessing that the Lord enjoyed.
To be silent before the Lord has many benefits; learning to control the tongue, seeking the will of God, regaining a spiritual perspective, physical restoration, spiritual restoration, and worship to God. But the greatest, in my opinion, is hearing the voice of God better. We are crowded with voices. They come from friendships, phone calls, earbuds, the TV, and ads. Silence truly allows us to hear the voice of God better, but this requires we do something uncomfortable and leave the noise pollution behind.
So, start with a silent commute to work once a week. Try one-minute silence retreats to sit and “be” at various times in the workday. Maybe try blending your quiet time each day with some uninterrupted silence before the craziness of the day starts. Ask your spouse for a retreat day with no strings attached where you can drive to the hills and be silent for a few hours and allow God’s voice through Scripture to calm you. Just start with something.
I’ll be quiet now, I’ve said enough.
Pastor Ed Boness