The Silent!

[01/29/2007 “teEn-MAIL”]

THE SILENT!

It is amazing what we can hear when we are silent. Wind chimes in the distance. Frogs croaking. Birds chirping. Whispers. Water dripping. Even the sound of snowflakes hitting the frozen ground. Etc. Giving a chance for these sounds to be heard might FILL US WITH WONDER regarding God’s creation and all the marvelous design that went into it.

God, speaking through His prophet Habakkuk, stated…
“(19) Woe to him who says to a wooden thing, Awake; to A SILENT STONE, Arise! CAN THIS TEACH? Behold, it is overlaid with gold and silver, and there is no breath at all in it. (20) But THE LORD IS IN HIS HOLY TEMPLE; let all the earth KEEP SILENCE BEFORE HIM.” ( Habakkuk 2:19-20 ESV)

Note the contrast given between that which is no god and the One Who is the Sovereign God and Creator of all life? The false is what is made by the hands of men while God is the Maker of man. The stone is SILENT and cannot teach, but God is the Omniscient (all knowing) One Who teaches everything that is righteous. The false has no breath in it, but it is God Who breathed life into mortal man ( Genesis 2:7) and breathed life into His Word as well ( 2 Timothy 3:16). The false, which can only be silent, must be spoken for. However, when it comes to the God Who has spoken, we would be wise to be SILENT before Him so that we can RECEIVE THE INSTRUCTION WE NEED. He need not be told to awaken because He never sleeps or slumbers. ( Psalm 121:4) It is us who must remain awake to the WONDERS He has chosen to reveal through His Creation and His Word!

“Keep SILENCE”! According to Strong’s lexicon the Hebrew implies hush, keep silence, be silent, hold peace, hold tongue, be still. Are we remaining quiet enough to hear (take to heart) what He has chosen to reveal?

After God had spoken to Job we read…
“(3) Then Job answered the Lord and said: (4) ‘Behold, I am of small account; what shall I answer you? I LAY MY HAND ON MY MOUTH. (5) I have spoken once, and I will not answer; twice, but I will proceed no further.’” ( Job 40:3-5 ESV)

Solomon stated there is a time for silence and a time for speaking. ( Ecclesiastes 3:7) Do we know the difference? Are we being still enough before God that we can be FILLED WITH THE WONDER of His Wisdom and Power? We don’t command God -- He commands us! Let us keep listening to Him.

Have a great day BLESSED IN KNOWING WHEN TO KEEP SILENCE!
Carl

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