Silence is Golden
Now Think On This
Steve Martin
“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable
in Your sight,
O Lord, my rock and my Redeemer.” (Psalms 19:14 NASU)
Have you ever caught yourself thinking about something,
and then wonder how you got to that point in your mind? Day dreaming about
tomorrow? Pondering over a situation that has nothing to do with what you are
doing now?
If you then catch yourself doing that, and next try
to walk back to how you got there in your thinking, it can be as a maze in your
mind. It is probably due to the fact that our minds have collected so much information
over the years. No wonder we wander.
In years gone by I would memorize Scripture, to help
my mind be disciplined. I would meditate on good things. The shepherd David
learned this lesson, as he sat watching over the sheep grazing. I can imagine
that gave him plenty of time to consider what he allowed in his mind, and he
made sure it was good.
How often do we surround ourselves with the radio
blaring continually, the TV turned on with meaningless content, or the
overflowing noise of life which distracts us from the Lord? Far too often I am
sure. How can we meditate on His Words if all else consumes our minds?
Many times we avoid having it quiet. It is like we
can’t allow “nothing” in the airwaves around us. We have become so accustomed
to noise that if there isn’t any we look to have something turned on to make it.
Ever walk into a hotel room and immediately turn on the TV? (Guilty!)
It is almost like we fear having a quiet time.
Something has to be going all the time, or we tend to get paranoid. Does that
describe you?
There was a song written decades ago with the lyrics
“silence is golden.”* Do you believe that?
The Lord isn’t calling us to be as hermits living in
a secluded cave in the desert land of some far away country. Nor are most of us
supposed to join the monastery to live as a monk, or nun, where talk is
prohibited 23 hours a day. But I do think He is asking us to allow His Holy
Spirit to have time to speak to us, when we are able to hear Him. Most of the
time He will be that “still, small voice” which can only be heard when nothing
else is filling our ears, or minds.
Elijah was given a lesson in listening. Scripture
records this about him.
“Then He said, "Go out, and stand on the
mountain before the Lord." And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and
strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the
Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but
the Lord was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the
Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice.
“So it was, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped
his face in his mantle and went out and stood in the entrance of the cave.
Suddenly a voice came to him, and said, "What are you doing here,
Elijah?" And he said, "I have been very zealous for the Lord God of
hosts; because the children of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down
Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I alone am left; and they
seek to take my life."
Then the Lord said to him: "Go, return on your
way to the Wilderness of Damascus; and when you arrive, anoint Hazael as king
over Syria. Also you shall anoint Jehu the son of Nimshi as king over Israel.
And Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel Meholah you shall anoint as prophet in
your place. It shall be that whoever escapes the sword of Hazael, Jehu will
kill; and whoever escapes the sword of Jehu, Elisha will kill. Yet I have
reserved seven thousand in Israel, all whose knees have not bowed to Baal, and
every mouth that has not kissed him." (1 Kings 19:11-18, NKJV)
It is amazing what we can hear when we give the Lord
the opportunity to speak. For Elijah, that meant receiving instruction to go
and anoint the next king of Syria. And Israel. And also the next prophet who
would take his place. Wow!
Are you afraid of what the Lord will tell you today,
if you give Him time to speak a word to you during a quiet time? Personally, I
long to hear the Lord speak. My life history tells me it will be for good, as I
have learned it to be. His next word just may change my life’s direction, or simply
give me the next step on the path I need to walk on. That could be the same for
you today too.
Seek the Lord and He will be found. Call upon His
Name and He will answer you. Both promises that will eternally hold true. Even
now.
A blessed person will make it a priority each day to
give time for the Lord and His Spirit to speak.
Now think on this,
Steve Martin
Founder
Love For His People, Inc.
*For you “oldies but goodies” people,
"Silence is Golden" was co-written by Bob Gaudio of the American rock band, The Four Seasons, with Bob Crewe. It was released as a B-side to the hit song "Rag Doll," in 1964. A few othes have recorded it since.
P.S. I would be
most grateful if you'd share this encouraging word with your family and
friends. They might need it. You can easily use the social media icons below.
Thanks! Steve
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Now Think On This - In the New Year of our Lord 03.19.16 -
#251 –“Silence is Golden” – Saturday
at 8:30 am
All previous editions of Now Think On This can
be found on this Blog, and on the website: Now Think On This
Again, I would be most grateful if you'd share this
encouraging word with your family and friends. You can easily use the social
media icons below. Thanks! Steve
