Dear Ones:
When the temple was built, and the high priest entered once a year into the Holy of Holies, I wonder how quiet it was? There this man found himself in utter silence, standing in the presence of the Almighty, being that singular mediator between God and man. I’m sure that the experience had a resounding effect on him, and the effect continued to affect his life as he exited the temple. You see, it is often when we are the quietest that the effect of the presence of the Lord, and specifically, the word of God, have their most profound, life-changing effect upon us. This “quietness” of heart, and soul, are essential to the restoring of the soul (Ps. 23). It also is essential, so that the impressions of the Spirit of God, by the Word of God, become convictions in everyday life. Those quiet convictions are essential to keep us steady, and unmovable in a world of turmoil and dissonance.
David understood the essential of quietness before God, in order to worship Him. Remember that in Psalm 27, he wrote that he wanted just one thing, and this he would seek after, “…that I may dwell IN THE HOUSE of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and enquire in His temple.” (v.4) It is in that “secret place” (the closet…Matt. 6:6), that is also a quiet place, that prayer is to be made. The promise is: “…and thy Father, who seeth in secret, shall reward thee OPENLY.” We are so apt to forget how essential it is to be alone, and quiet before God, with His word in hand, and trusting the Spirit to worship, and receive from Him what is needful.
It must be noted that aloneness with God is NOT an easy matter to realize. David said that not only did he desire it, but that he SOUGHT after it. It must be pursued. Jesus went up into the mountain to pray…alone. Why? Even though He was the Son of God, in his human flesh, He too needed to be quiet, to hear the voice of His Father, and commune with Him. I believe that we can safely say that the deepest impressions are made when the soul is the quietest. Please note that quietness does not mean passivity. Quietness is singularly, and restfully, and trustingly, gazing upon Christ, waiting upon Him for all things. It is active, responsive, and teachable.
How does this translate into our living? We must ask ourselves how it is that the Psalmists were able to write such things as, “…God is our refuge, and strength, a very PRESENT help in trouble,” (Ps. 46:1) and know the quiet, dominant reality of it? Another example would be, “I have set the Lord always before me: because He is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.” (Ps. 16:8) These were men who lived in the very quiet, and yet, dominant presence of God, for whom God was a reality to them…a dominant reality. Thus, they lived in the ever-changing world, even a noisy world of confusion, and yet, knew the peace of God in a very real, tangible, though inexplicable way. “In quietness and confidence shall be your strength…” (Is. 30:15) What an outward testimony of an inward experience!
So, today, let us trust the Lord to show us how we can be alone with Him, and learn to live in the quietness of His dominant presence. Then we too will know the reality of His peace, rest, even in the midst of the occupations and responsibilities of life.
“Jesus, I am resting, resting, in the joy of what Thou art; I am finding out the greatness of Thy loving heart.” (J.S. Pigott)
Love, Dad