January 29th, 2024
by John Kelley
by John Kelley
Our world is loud. According to ecologist Gordon Hempton, there are only, at most, 12 places in the US where one can go without hearing any human caused noise. Twelve places....in the entire US!!! How crazy is that? We live in a world where the noise is constant, and it's getting louder. What used to be civil discourse has now become shouting matches. People actually take their evenings and watch "reality tv" shows where people spend half of their time ripping into each other and yelling at the top of their lungs. We genuinely live in a strange time.
That's why today, maybe more so than ever, we need to get in the habit of practicing silence as a spiritual discipline. If you were to take a snapshot of your day, how much time would you say that you spend in actual silence? I have a 6 year old son who likes to engage in conversation when he really needs to listen. I'll be explaining how to do something, and he will immediately begin talking, as if to let me know that he's got it. He'll even say, "I know how to do that" when he doesn't. Of course, it never goes well for him as he can't accomplish his task, due to the fact that he simply couldn't stay quiet long enough to listen.
Are we like that with God? Do we take time in silence to listen for him? Imagine telling the Creator of the universe, "I know how to do this." Just saying it feels ridiculous, but I can guarantee that most of us have. So many times, we are looking for God in the noise. We go to loud worship events, meet up with small groups where we're all talking the whole time, or even just listen to Christian radio cranked to 11 in our car. Many of us are just uncomfortable without noise. That's why we buy sound machines and keep the tv or music playing in the house so that we've got "background noise."
In 1 Kings, we read about one of my favorite characters in the Bible, the prophet Elijah. One of the best stories is when he defeated the prophets of Baal in getting their gods to light an altar. Elijah called on the One True God to light his, and you can guess the outcome. After Elijah's altar was lit, he had all the prophets of Baal put to the sword. This didn't sit well with Queen Jezebel who was a worshipper of Baal. She sent out the word to have Elijah put to the sword. This caused Elijah to flee to Mt. Horeb, also known as the Mount of God. He hid in a cave there.
There he came to a cave and lodged in it. And behold, the word of the LORD came to him, and he said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” He said, “I have been very jealous for the LORD, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away.” And he said, “Go out and stand on the mount before the LORD.” And behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks 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 the sound of a low whisper. And when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And behold, there came a voice to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
1 Kings 19:9–13
I love this story for multiple reasons. Throughout the Bible, we hear about God in very loud ways, a pillar of fire, in thunder, or as a loud voice from Heaven. Here, however, God took a different route. Elijah was worked up from the last 40 days. He had experienced the ultimate high in seeing God's power at work. He had also been running for his life fleeing Jezebel. It's no wonder why Elijah would be so anxious. He even asked God to just go ahead and take his life. God knew he needed to calm Elijah down. In telling him to wait, he sent a mighty wind followed by an earthquake followed by an intense fire. God wasn't in any of them. God showed up in the whisper. God was telling Elijah, "Slow down. Calm Down. I am here. I have a plan for you."
My kids get worked up sometimes to the point where they are crying uncontrollably while trying to explain what just happened. I find, in those times, I'm just trying to calm them down so we can have a conversation and get a clear look at what is going on. This passage feels so much like that. I would love to know what Elijah's tone of voice was when he talked to God. Was he whining? Was he in tears? Was he angry and yelling? Either way, it's obvious that God wanted his to quiet down.
As disciples of Christ, it's beyond important for us to slow down and simply be quiet. Finding times throughout our days and weeks can be difficult, but they are needed. We need to tune out the noise and focus on God. Even Jesus understood this when He would pray.
But now even more the report about him went abroad, and great crowds gathered to hear him and to be healed of their infirmities. But he would withdraw to desolate places and pray.
Luke 5:15–16
Jesus was well known for speaking to great crowds of people, but when He wanted to spend time with His Father, he would choose solitude. It's so hard to focus on God with too much background noise. Finding a quiet place to pray or meditate on God's Word is essential for us. It's hard to hear God's whisper when we've got people talking, music playing, or just loud traffic around us. Jesus even instructs us find a place of solitude to pray.
“And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you."
Matthew 6:5–6
Jesus didn't want his disciples to get caught up in the noise. The volume of their prayers wasn't important, finding a quiet place to spend time with their father was. What quiet place will you find today to talk with the Father?
That's why today, maybe more so than ever, we need to get in the habit of practicing silence as a spiritual discipline. If you were to take a snapshot of your day, how much time would you say that you spend in actual silence? I have a 6 year old son who likes to engage in conversation when he really needs to listen. I'll be explaining how to do something, and he will immediately begin talking, as if to let me know that he's got it. He'll even say, "I know how to do that" when he doesn't. Of course, it never goes well for him as he can't accomplish his task, due to the fact that he simply couldn't stay quiet long enough to listen.
Are we like that with God? Do we take time in silence to listen for him? Imagine telling the Creator of the universe, "I know how to do this." Just saying it feels ridiculous, but I can guarantee that most of us have. So many times, we are looking for God in the noise. We go to loud worship events, meet up with small groups where we're all talking the whole time, or even just listen to Christian radio cranked to 11 in our car. Many of us are just uncomfortable without noise. That's why we buy sound machines and keep the tv or music playing in the house so that we've got "background noise."
In 1 Kings, we read about one of my favorite characters in the Bible, the prophet Elijah. One of the best stories is when he defeated the prophets of Baal in getting their gods to light an altar. Elijah called on the One True God to light his, and you can guess the outcome. After Elijah's altar was lit, he had all the prophets of Baal put to the sword. This didn't sit well with Queen Jezebel who was a worshipper of Baal. She sent out the word to have Elijah put to the sword. This caused Elijah to flee to Mt. Horeb, also known as the Mount of God. He hid in a cave there.
There he came to a cave and lodged in it. And behold, the word of the LORD came to him, and he said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” He said, “I have been very jealous for the LORD, the God of hosts. For the people of Israel have forsaken your covenant, thrown down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword, and I, even I only, am left, and they seek my life, to take it away.” And he said, “Go out and stand on the mount before the LORD.” And behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind tore the mountains and broke in pieces the rocks 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 the sound of a low whisper. And when Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. And behold, there came a voice to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
1 Kings 19:9–13
I love this story for multiple reasons. Throughout the Bible, we hear about God in very loud ways, a pillar of fire, in thunder, or as a loud voice from Heaven. Here, however, God took a different route. Elijah was worked up from the last 40 days. He had experienced the ultimate high in seeing God's power at work. He had also been running for his life fleeing Jezebel. It's no wonder why Elijah would be so anxious. He even asked God to just go ahead and take his life. God knew he needed to calm Elijah down. In telling him to wait, he sent a mighty wind followed by an earthquake followed by an intense fire. God wasn't in any of them. God showed up in the whisper. God was telling Elijah, "Slow down. Calm Down. I am here. I have a plan for you."
My kids get worked up sometimes to the point where they are crying uncontrollably while trying to explain what just happened. I find, in those times, I'm just trying to calm them down so we can have a conversation and get a clear look at what is going on. This passage feels so much like that. I would love to know what Elijah's tone of voice was when he talked to God. Was he whining? Was he in tears? Was he angry and yelling? Either way, it's obvious that God wanted his to quiet down.
As disciples of Christ, it's beyond important for us to slow down and simply be quiet. Finding times throughout our days and weeks can be difficult, but they are needed. We need to tune out the noise and focus on God. Even Jesus understood this when He would pray.
But now even more the report about him went abroad, and great crowds gathered to hear him and to be healed of their infirmities. But he would withdraw to desolate places and pray.
Luke 5:15–16
Jesus was well known for speaking to great crowds of people, but when He wanted to spend time with His Father, he would choose solitude. It's so hard to focus on God with too much background noise. Finding a quiet place to pray or meditate on God's Word is essential for us. It's hard to hear God's whisper when we've got people talking, music playing, or just loud traffic around us. Jesus even instructs us find a place of solitude to pray.
“And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you."
Matthew 6:5–6
Jesus didn't want his disciples to get caught up in the noise. The volume of their prayers wasn't important, finding a quiet place to spend time with their father was. What quiet place will you find today to talk with the Father?
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2024
January
What Is Prayer?AdorationConfessionThanksgivingSupplicationScripture Is The Word Of GodGod’s Word Guides UsGod’s Word Convicts UsGod’s Word Connects UsGod’s Word Encourages UsWhat Is Worship?Worship In Our WorkWorship In Our FamilySunday WorshipWorship Even When You Don't Want ToWhat is Fasting All About?Giving God Our Meal TimesEmptied of Ourselves and Filled with ChristFasting Develops FocusFood Is OverratedGod Is NOT In The FireJesus Sneaks OffWe Make Our Own Noise
February
We All Need SpaceGod Is Not Santa ClausWith Great Blessing Comes Great ResponsibilityCan Stewardship Be Scary?Filling the Need When We See ItIt's All His AnywayTime Is NOT On My SideWe Need Each OtherDevoted To The WordBreaking Bread TogetherGroup Conversations With GodFour Hands Are Better Than TwoLet’s Keep It SimpleOnly Take What You NeedSlow DownThe Great PurgeA Simple MessageGod’s Word Is A WeaponDo You Have A Game Plan?What You Remember Most Matters MostStart With the Basics
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Sin Is RealDistraction Leads to Cover-UpWandering In DisobediencePride Comes Before the FallI Do What I HateThe Beauty of RedemptionRedemption Has A PriceWe Need To Claim Our PrizeYou Gotta Have FaithEven When You Look Like a Fool….God Will ProvideTrust the ProcessI Forgive YouGrace Is Free, But It Isn't CheapI Was Wrong, You Were RightThe Mob
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2 Comments
Oh this is so good! Silence is what we all need more of. It's so hard especially with little kids but we have to have time to sit and listen. Thank you for this.
Our kids definitely need to learn this from their parents. Our example is what they're looking for. How we respond and interact with God will directly affect how they do that.