Psalm 62:1-2 (NLT): “I wait quietly before God, for my victory comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will never be shaken.”
How long can you sit in absolute silence? No noise – no TV, no music playing, no external distractions going on – nothing. Does it make you feel uncomfortable?
Psalm 37:7a (HCSB) states: “Be silent before the LORD and wait expectantly for Him.”
There is beauty and soothing relaxation surrounding quietness. Look at the sunrise. What noises do you hear? What about a sunset? Go outside at night and look up at the galaxy of stars in the sky. What sounds come from the stars? Complete quietness right? When the seasons change God causes it to occur quietly – no trumpets announce this natural phenomenon. No noise precedes or follows that occurrence. It is all part of God’s magnificent creation, and He gives it to the world in absolute quietness declaring His majestic glory.
In waiting quietly before God, distractions need to be repressed. Cease any restless independent activity. Our thoughts, hearts, and mind must be wholly centered on hearing and understanding what God wants to say to us through His Word, in the plummeting battles of life. External stimulations need to be squelched so that receiving communication from God is not interrupted as we pour our hearts out to Him. I am finding that to be more of a challenge today with my smartphone sending me emails, messages, and updates from Fox news. One just popped up a few minutes ago. My mind wants to forge ahead with reviewing the tasks and appointments of my day. But I sometimes have to say: “Stop! I am talking to God now. Quit interrupting!”
There is a note in my NIV Application Bible right before Psalm 62 which says: “. . . Knowing that God is in control allows us to wait patiently for him to rescue us. True relief does not come when the problem is resolved because more problems are on the way! True relief comes from an enduring hope in God’s ultimate salvation. Only then will all things be resolved.”
We must live in the day to day experiences of showing fruit in our lives. I have to ask myself if I am walking the talk so that my integrity bears the truth that is centered in my life despite the circumstances?
Sit before the feet of the Lord. Lay your burdens down. Share your mess and your desires. Even if you only have ten minutes. Then listen quietly and in expectation for God’s compassion and love to be shown. Wait patiently for Him. Relinquish your fears and worries to God. He will shield you, protect you, and wants to reveal His power in and through your life. Know that He is in control. Peace and composure will then return.
Question:
How is God speaking to you today?
What does “God is my fortress” mean to you?
“O lead me into all truth, thou Spirit of wisdom and revelation, that I may know the things that belong unto my peace, and through thee be made anew.” Excerpt from The Valley of Vision. A collection of Puritan Prayers & Devotions.
Listen to Jordan Feliz – The River (Lyric Video) YouTube