OBSERVE TIMES OF SILENCE. BEFORE GOS

EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 25, 2019.

SUBJECT : OBSERVE TIMES OF SILENCE BEFORE GOD!

Memory verse: “For Thus says the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel: “In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and confidence shall be your strength.” But you would not," (Isaiah 30 vs 15.)

READ: Psalm 46 vs 10; Revelation 8 vs 1 - 4:
Psalm 46:10: Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!

Revelation 8:1: When He opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour.
8:2: And I saw the seven angels who stand before God; and to them were given seven trumpets.
8:3: Then another angel, having a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne.
8:4: And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of saints ascended before God from the angel's hand.

INTIMATION:
Silence is the state of remaining quiet and still; an absence of sound. This necessitates concentration and attentiveness. Observing a quiet or silent time before God is reverently honoring Him and His power and majesty. And concentration and attentiveness is a prerequisite for hearing God’s still small voice. How proper, then for us to be still in honor and reverence to Him, and in patience to hear from Him. Take time each day to be still and honor God. This is a command from God. In Psalm 46 vs 10, God said, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” God is exalted and reverenced in quietness, and His works are also done quietly.

In communing with God in prayers, often we dump our requests on Him, and end our prayers in Jesus’ name, without really waiting to hear from Him. We hardly allow Him to speak in the conversation, but do all the speaking while He listens. But we require to hear what He has to say to us. And when He speaks, we can only hear from Him in quietness because He speaks in a still small voice. We must wait for God “in quietness and confidence.” No amount of fast talking or hasty activity could speed up God’s grand design.

The Scripture recorded, in First Kings 19 vs 11 - 13, God’s revelation to prophet Elijah regarding how He speaks; “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 mountain 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?”

Elijah knew that the sound of a still small voice belonged to God. He realized that God doesn’t reveal Himself only in powerful, miraculous ways. To look for God only in something big (rallies, churches, conferences, highly visible leaders) may be to miss Him because He is often found gently whispering in the quietness of a humble heart.  Are you listening for God? Step back from the noise and activity of your busy life and listen humbly and quietly for His guidance. It may come when you least expect it.

Our memory verse notes that when Christ opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. With all the activity, this dramatic pause must have seemed to last for an eternity. During this time, the only activity was prayers of the saints (see Revelation 8 vs 3 - 4). We must seek God in times of silence. How proper for us to be quiet and honor God for His power and might. Take time each day to be silent and exalt God. Silence also conveys trust and confidence in God. We can trust God, and be peacefully confident that He will give us strength to face our difficulties, and provide the justice against oppressors that we seek.

The Scripture says, “But the Lord is in His Holy temple. Let all the earth keep silence before Him.” (Habakkuk 2 vs 20.) We who worship the living God come to Him in silent awe and reverence. In so doing we acknowledge that God is in control and knows what He is doing.

Prayer: Abba Father, endue me with the spirit of quietness and confidence in You, that I may humbly come to You daily in reverential silence, and hear You speak to me, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed. Amen.
PRAISE THE LORD!