There is far too much noise in and from life. It clamors for our attention, distracts us from our life purpose, deafens our spiritual ears, diminishes our effectiveness, and defeats our spiritual growth.
All throughout Scripture, there is evidence that God values quietness – He moves quietly behind the scenes and also calls us to moments of quiet reflection and growth.
The Old Testament word “shaqat” means to appease, to be idle or at rest, to be quiet, quietness, to be still or settled.
The New Testament word “hesuchazo” means to cease or refrain from meddlesomeness or meddling speech, to hold your peace, to be quiet or keep still, to rest.
- God – He is not the author of confusion [disorder, commotion, tumult], but of peace [quietness, rest] (I Corinthians 14:33).
- Jesus – He was born in a quiet setting, often sought moments of quiet solitude and prayer, and lived a relatively quiet life. He quieted the demoniac by releasing him from demonic power and transforming him (sitting quietly and in his right mind). He quieted the storms with “Peace, be still.” He quieted the disciples fears by standing among them and saying, “Peace unto you” (John 20:19).
- Moses – He experienced a quiet forty years in the desert in preparation for God’s plan
- Joshua – When the fighting stops and there are no wars, the land is “at rest” or quiet (Joshua 11:23, 14:15).
- Judges – When the enemies are defeated, there is quietness in the land (Judges 3:11, 3:30, 5;31, 8:28). Quietness doesn’t mean complacent, inattentive, or a false sense of security (Judges 18:7-27)
- II Kings – When evil rulers are defeated, dethroned, or deceased, the land returns to rest [peacefulness, quietness] (II Kings 11:20).
- Asa – When godly rulers are in charge, God gives the land peace and quiet (II Chronicles 14:1-6).
- Jehoshaphat – When godly rulers are in charge, God gives the land peace and quiet (II Chronicles 20:30)
- Elijah – He heard God’s still, small voice after the raucous wind, earthquake, and fire
- Samuel – He heard God’s quiet whisper in the middle of the night (I Samuel 3:2-10)
- God’s quietness is sometimes due to His people’s spiritual complacency and indifference (I Samuel 3:1).
- David – Be still and know that I am God (Psalm 46:10). I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; for You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety (Psalms 4:8).
- Psalms – The earth feared and was still [quiet] (Psalms 76:8). Great peace have they who love Thy law (Psalm 119:165).
- Asaph – God is sometimes quiet [still, silent] (Psalms 83:1).
- Anger – He that is slow to anger appeases [quiets] strife [contention, unrest, noise] (Proverbs 15:18).
- Solomon – Words of wise men are heard in quietness (Ecclesiastes 9:17)
- Job – There is no rest or quietness when trouble comes (Job 3:26). When God gives quietness, who can make trouble? (Job 34:29).
- Isaiah – Quietness doesn’t mean fearful, anxious, or fainthearted (Isaiah 7:3-4). When God delivers or exercises His righteous judgment, the whole earth rejoices, is at rest, and is quiet (Isaiah 14:7). Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Thee (Isaiah 26:3). In quietness and in confidence shall be your strength (Isaiah 30:15). The work of righteousness will be peace. The effect of righteousness will be quietness and assurance [refuge, security, confidence] forever (Isaiah 32:17). The wicked, like the troubled sea, cannot rest [have no peace] but continue to churn the sand, grit, and dirt (Isaiah 57:20-21). God will bring rest to His people (Isaiah 62:1).
- Jeremiah – God will bring rest to His people (Jeremiah 30:10, 46:27). It is good to hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord (Lamentations 3:26).
- Jonah – He had a quiet conversation in the middle of a fish in the middle of the ocean
- Daniel – He had daily quiet times of meditation and prayer – and spent a quiet evening with the lions after God shut their mouths.
- John the Baptist – He prepared himself for his ministry in the quiet of the wilderness
- Luke – There is a time to be silent before God. Satan questioned God’s Word in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:1-4). Doubters questioned Jesus (Luke 20:20-21) until there were silenced (Luke 20:26) and dared not ask Him any more questions (Luke 20:40). My questions must be from a sincere search for His truth, not from deceptive doubt based on trickery.
- Peter – Though he was at times very vocal, still wrote, “Let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God” (I Peter 3:4).
- Paul – He prepared himself in the quietness of the Arabian Desert. Study to be quiet (I Thessalonians 4:11). Work in quietness (II Thessalonians 3:12). Live a quiet and peaceable life (I Timothy 2:2).
There is also ample evidence of the result of living “noisily.”
- Samson – The noise of his rambunctious life cost him his eyes, his usefulness, his reputation, and ultimately his life.
- Saul – The noise of his rebellious life cost him his family, his kingdom, his favor with God, and ultimately his life.
When you spend time with God, quiet yourself – heart, mind, soul, and body – in a quiet place where you can listen for His still, small voice.
