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.”
Back during the week of April 2015, I was in a period in our life of yet again, being in a waiting situation for an outcome. My husband, Steve, woke me up at 4 AM and alerted me that he saw double on our radio alarm clock. Other physical problems were also present. I quickly maneuvered us to the emergency room at our hospital, which is only three blocks away.
How I remember, when I returned home that first night, from Steve’s hospital room, the quietness in our house was so comforting. The emergency room setting is very noisy. Monitors are running, various doctors and nurses coming in to ask questions over and over and over again. Various medical situations going on with so many people.
The double vision was the hardest to have to wait for going away for Steve above anything else. Coordination came back within a few weeks and his physical therapist was so kind and helpful. Eventually Steve had complete recovery. But I remember it was the quietness of our home that was the peaceful and safe setting that was so needed at that precise time. The lack of noise was comforting and produced tranquility. So was Psalm 62:1-2.
Did I ask God why? No, because the why was not important. It was just another season of learning from God what he wanted to teach us through another seminar on endurance, faith, hope and trust in God’s apparent plan He had for our life at that particular time. Life stood still for a few days.
But I did ask, “What is the reward in this trial Lord?” Hebrews 10:36 states: “For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised.” I did ask God to tell me what that was.
I put my faith in Proverbs 1:33: “But whoever listens to me will dwell secure and will be at ease, without dread of disaster.” I told God I was listening. In the quietness, in the stillness, I knew He was there.
In reading Psalm 62:1-2, I pictured David, sitting at the feet of Jesus and not saying anything. He was waiting for God to speak and no one else. God was his help and his shield of protection. David trusted in God and believed that He would surely protect him because a “fortress” (“. . . my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken”) is any place of exceptional security or a stable place. God was David’s fortress in protecting him from any harm. Once again the lesson to learn is our sufficiency is found in our heavenly father. God holds it all.
Psalm 37:7 (NASB) states: “Rest in the LORD and wait patiently for him . . .”
Something is soothing about total quietness without any chaotic noise. How every sunset proclaims the beauty of creation! What sound comes to mind from a sunset? Nothing. There is none. Silence. What about when you look up at the stars at night? Silence. God created the sunrise, sunsets, and each and every star in the dark sky majestically shining for us to see, and yet we often worry about how we are going to pay an outstanding bill.
Often times we just need to shut out all the noise around us. Get alone with God’s word, and ask: “God, what do you want to say to me? What do you want me to learn?”
Inhale a cleansing breath of God’s salvation. Exhale a breath of God’s hope and peace.
God often works in quiet ways to bring about his long-range purposes, while we are watching and waiting for a miracle. Elijah recognized the sound of a gentle whisper was God’s voice in 1 Kings 19:11-13. It takes a humble heart to be able to hear God’s guidance quietly.
Psalm 46:10 (NIV) states: “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”
Take time to be quiet before God. Wait patiently at his feet.
Ecclesiastes 9:17 (ESV) declares: “The words of the wise heard in quiet are better than the shouting of a ruler among fools.”
Have a need on your heart?
- Wait quietly, patiently, but expectantly, before God.
- Ask God to speak to you through His word.
- Listen as He sustains you.
- God does not need any fanfare to work everything all out for your good in the end.
- Now echo back your praises to God and give Him praise for His loving kindness and compassion that is new every morning (Lamentations 3:23).
- Morning by morning God dispenses His justice and every new day He does not fail (Zephaniah 3:5)!
Listen to Hillsong United’s song “Still”