by Rachel Rennard

It is undeniable that the world we live in is full of noise. Living in a quiet, serene Cuba for a short time has made this all the more obvious to me. Our homes are full of music, television, YouTube videos and conversation. We turn on the noise in our cars with radio, CDs or cell phones. Unfortunately, some of our homes are full of yelling and arguing. I have visited many homes where the noise of television never seems to stop, even during moments that should be sacred like dinner and bedtime. Even our churches seem to be filled with more noise. Sound systems are better; people seem to sing and pray louder, drums seem to play louder. We fill our services with praise and worship choruses, choir, specials, testimonies and preaching.

Obviously not all noise is bad. As a proud member of the Faith Apostolic Church praise team, I must admit that I love music, and often I prefer it loud. The Bible gives us permission to make a loud noise unto the Lord. Often it is with shouts of praise that we claim victory over our enemy. Bold declarations of our freedom and commitment to God are needed. There is room for noise in our homes as well. I can’t imagine a better sound than the close to deafening sound of my five-year-old daughter’s laughter and joyous screams and squeals. Yet I feel that in a world so full of racket, God is still speaking to His people in a still, small voice that simply cannot be heard unless we take the time to listen.

The theme of silence and meditation is very visible in the Psalms. “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer” (Psalms 19:14). “My meditation of him shall be sweet: I will be glad in the LORD” (Psalms 104:34).

Solomon observed wisely that there is “a time to keep silence, and a time to speak” (Ecclesiastes 3:7). Paul advises Timothy and the church to pray for those in authority “that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our savior” (I Timothy 2:2-3).

God has been dealing with my heart about silence. Recently, He spoke to me some things that have changed my prayer life. First, He dealt with me about giving Him time to speak. It sounds so elementary, but so often we get so involved in other necessary elements of prayer (supplication, repentance, worship, thanksgiving, etc.) that we fail to give God the opportunity to speak to us. I recently started keeping a journal at hand when I would pray, and, amazingly, God began to speak. He answered questions that I had hidden in my heart. He showed me areas of my life that needed to improve. He spoke of His love for me and plans for my life. Thankfully, I now have journals that contain words God has spoken to me. It is such a blessing to read back over such powerful words on days when I struggle and need strength.

Next, God began to deal with me about keeping silent before bringing Him my requests. I had felt frustration in prayer from time to time, feeling as if my prayers weren’t as effective as they could be. As I talked to God about this, He showed me that if I took some time to listen before I requested anything, He would lead me to pray for pressing needs that I would not have thought of on my own. I began to take several minutes before beginning supplication, asking God to direct my prayers that day. What happened amazed me! God would lay someone, some place, or some situation on my heart. I would make a list of needs to pray for that day. When I felt that the list was done, I would begin to pray and what a change I experienced in my prayers! I felt such authority as I began to pray for needs that God laid on my heart, my prayers seemed to flow better, and I felt so encouraged when I finished.

Finally, God dealt with my heart about silence after correction. In the Book of Nehemiah, we read about the rebuilding of Jerusalem’s walls. As we all know, Nehemiah organized and led a large group of Jews to rebuild the demolished walls of Jerusalem. They faced much opposition and hardship, but God was on their side and they eventually completed their task. In chapter 5, an internal rift arises between the wealthy Jewish landowners and their poorer Jewish brothers. The wealthy Jews were charging excessive interest on loans they had provided for their Jewish brothers. Many of the debtors were unable to pay, and some had even sold their children into slav ery to attempt to pay their debts. When Nehemiah realized what was taking place, he was furious. We see his reaction in verses seven and eight: “You are exacting usury, each from his brother! Therefore, I held a great assembly against them. I said to them, We according to our ability have redeemed our Jewish brothers who were sold to the nations; now would you even sell your brothers that they may be sold to us?”

What jumped out at me is the second half of verse eight: “Then they were silent and could not find a word to say.” It is in our human nature to defend our actions when someone confronts us. Even if we were in the wrong, we so often try to justify our actions. Whether it is God rebuking us directly, or through a pastor or leader, we give so many reasons for acting the way that we did. Or we respond that a flaw or fault is just part of who we are, something that we can’t help. How often do we point our finger at someone else, pointing out t hat they need correction and rebuke more than we do? How often have we sat through services, thinking of which brother or sister needs to hear the message the pastor is preaching, all the time ignoring that perhaps God is trying to speak to us? Somehow, I think all of us need to learn a lesson in keeping silent after correction. I know that I do.

As a young mother, I find one thing about parenting extremely frustrating. When I correct my five-year-old daughter, she often does not even listen to what I am saying. She simply tries to make excuses for her bad behavior or cries so loudly she cannot learn the lesson I am trying to teach her. Is that the frustration God must feel when we refuse to listen to his correction? The wonderful thing about our Lord is that His correction and rebuke is always accompanied with love and mercy. If we are willing to admit our faults and failures, He is faithful and just to forgive. Yet beyond forgiveness, He is willing to change us into something better and more beautiful. In verse 12 of Nehemiah, we see the act on that followed the silence of the rich Jewish landowners: “We will give it back and will require nothing from them; we will do exactly as you say.” Lord, let us all listen in silence as You speak, and let us all respond to Your correction with obedience.

As disciples of Jesus Christ, let us take time to be silent. In the chaos of our tumultuous world, let us choose to set time aside for our Savior to speak to us in His still small voice. Let us shut our ears to all the noise taking place all around us, and tune our ears to the voice of God. Let us allow God to speak to us in our prayers, leading us and guiding us every step of the way. And let us be silent when He lovingly corrects us, responding with simple obedience. If there were ever a d ay to be still and know that He is God, it is today. If there were ever a time that the church needs to hear God’s voice and respond exactly as He says, it is now. Let us rise to the occasion and hear God in the silence.