Finding God in the Quiet

Happy Sunday. Today we continue in our study of spiritual disciplines. As we begin, let me stop for 15 20 seconds. a little awkward, don't you think?

Today, we're going to look at the discipline of silence. Silence can be awkward. We're not used to it any longer. We're surrounded constantly by noise.

We have music and television even available on our phones. At home, TVs are often turned on not to watch anything, but just for the noise. If you have young children at home, your antenna goes up and you go check on them when it gets quiet. We live in a noise saturated society.

Silence then is something that we must seek. It's a beneficial spiritual discipline. One author defines the spiritual discipline of silence as a regenerative practice of attending and listening to God in quiet without interruption and without noise. What does the Bible say about this practice?

Psalm 46 tells us this in the first three verses. God is our refuge and our strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea. Though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble with its tumult.

This section of scripture is of great comfort in times of trouble. We hear these words often at funerals when our world is rocked. When everything around us is just shaking, it seems we're told, "God is our refuge." Let me read verses 1 to three again as you think about difficult times in your life.

God is our refuge and our strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear. Though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the hearts of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble with its tumult. Beautiful words.

But verse 10 is the verse that I want you to remember today. If God is going to be our refuge, if he's going to be our strength, here's help in getting to that point. God tells us, "Be still and know that I am God. I am exalted among the nations.

I am exalted in the earth." Those words, "Be still and know that I am God," are so easy to understand and yet so hard to follow. We're not used to being still. We're not used to being quiet.

We live in a hurried, loud world. You know, the fourth commandment, remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy. This commandment is largely ignored by this world. Yet God saw the necessity of his creation stopping and recharging in the stillness, in the quiet.

That's why the Sabbath was established. When I was a kid growing up in Georgia, there were blue laws. These laws restricted what businesses could be open on Sunday. Do you remember them?

Just about everything was closed. Gas stations were closed. Grocery stores were closed. And pretty much all retail businesses were shut down for the Sabbath.

No way would a little league game be played on a Sunday. No way would a school have any type of function whatsoever. My how our world has changed. The distractions and the noise ever increase.

We must discipline ourselves to seek the quiet to grow in Christ. And this discipline is so very important. Jesus himself often looked for the quiet. Luke chapter 5 shows us a busy day in the life of Jesus.

Let me read a little bit to you. One day when Jesus was in one of the cities, a man covered with skin disease was there. When he saw Jesus, he bowed with his face to the ground and begged him, "Lord, if you're willing, you can make me clean." And then Jesus stretched out his hand.

He touched him and Jesus said, "I am willing. Be made clean." Immediately the skin disease left the man and Jesus ordered him to tell no one but go show yourself to the priests and as Moses commanded making an offering for your cleansing as a testimony. Then we are told but now more than ever word about Jesus spread abroad and many crowds were gathering to hear him and to be cured of their diseases.

Can you imagine what that must have been like? If you had a difficulty, a disease, something incurable, something the doctors had given up on, you would run and find Jesus. And the crowds were getting huge and things were getting busy. Listen to verse 16.

Meanwhile, he Jesus would slip away to deserted places and pray. Recently, I have intentionally left my iPad alone. It's so easy to look at social media or watch a movie or listen to music. My life is quieter now and I'm pleased to share that I have more time for the things that really matter.

But we have to seek it. Today I'll end with some wise words from Job. These words are found in the 24th verse of chapter 6. Job says, "Teach me and I will be silent.

Make me understand how I have gone wrong." Silence is a time for God to speak to us. It's my prayer that you'll avoid the nose, the noise, and grow in the quiet. Pray with me.

Father, very often we pray when things are quiet. Very often we'll look at scripture when things are quiet. But if we never find the quiet, many times we just don't find you. Help us to practice this discipline, this vital link to spiritual growth.

And let us hear from you in Jesus name. Amen. God bless. Thanks for joining me today.