THE BLESSING OF SILENCE

[tomdurst]

THE BLESSING OF SILENCE

by Thomas E Durst

Isaiah 55:8-9 English Standard Version (ESV)

8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.
9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.

We all tend to be wrapped up in our own thoughts, sometimes bordering on thinking that everything revolves around us. Most of the time we plan so thoroughly and keep so incessantly busy that we leave very little room to hear from God. This is the way of the human ego which chooses darkness instead of light. God's thoughts and His plans for us are higher "as the heavens are higher than the earth." Only as we are willing to step aside from the endless chatter that dominates our world and enter into our closet of Silence will we ever be able to hear the voice of God. I think that the neglect of or resistance to spending quality time in stillness might be a subtle form of trying to run away from the Presence of God and possibly ourselves as well. Earnest heart searching is always important. Silence will bring us to a place of facing our issues and this can be very troubling. We need set apart times of Inner Silence when we are willing to release our attachments to all of our thoughts and plans and just listen with childlike receptivity to the Voice of God. Even strong religious beliefs and being overly busy doing "the Lord's work" can be very deceptive. Every belief that we'll ever have, no matter how good it seems to be, falls infinitely short of being the absolute truth. The realization of this keeps us humble and dependent upon God for His wisdom.

Let these simple but very powerful scriptures speak to your heart: Exodus 14:13; Psalm 37:7; 46:10; Isaiah 26:3; 30:15; 40:30-31; Matthew 6:5-8; Acts 17:28; Romans 8:26-27; Jude 20.

"Silence is God's first language.." John of the Cross

For additional thoughts on Silence visit the link below for a series of short articles:


THE SONG OF SILENCE

[Karen White]

Thank you Tom, honestly I need to re read this often. So easy in our busy world to forget and leave these times too far apart. The power of Love is glorious when we peacefully let it enter our lives.

[tomdurst]

A lot of people seem to be saying something along this line, "I'm so busy now with so many things and so many problems that I just don't really have time for communion with God." I've heard that over and over again. All of us, including myself, have the time and the money for what is really important to us and there is no getting around that.

[melody]

I start every day (the first hour or two) with the Lord, my bible devotionals, meditation on scripture and prayer. Prior to a few years ago, I was not consistent with this practice, but once I made it a daily habit, now I feel "thrown off" if I don't start my day seeking Him first. It's made a huge difference in my spiritual walk. :-)

[tomdurst]

The key to a strong walk with the Lord is CONSISTENCY AND PERSISTENCE. There are many wonderful devotional materials and Bible translations to use. The way each of us relates to God and worships Him is unique and special for each of us.

[tomdurst]

"Humility is perfect quietness of heart. It is to expect nothing, to wonder at nothing that is done to me, to feel nothing done against me. It is to be at rest when nobody praises me, and when I am blamed or despised. It is to have a blessed home in the Lord, where I can go in and shut the door, and kneel to my Father in secret, and am at peace as in a deep sea of calmness, when all around and above is trouble.”--Andrew Murray