Silence, Wait, Be Still

Maybe not all families, but I would venture to say a very large percentage of families have one or more members that just cannot be silent and sit still. No matter what the situation or circumstance is, they must voice an opinion or give directions. Even if they are not part of the conversation, they hear a little bit of it, and they must come over and give their opinion.  We all know someone like that or you yourself may be that person.

What is the hardest thing for a human to do?  It also is one of the areas that Satan fights most against and never wants you to master this habit with God.

To be Still and Silent and Wait on your God!

There are three words in the above statement that you do not like. Still, Silent, and Wait!

“God will fight the battle for you. And you? You keep your mouths shut!” Exodus 14:14 The Message

“The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” Exodus 14:14 NIV

“But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength”. Isaiah 40:31 KJV

“But Jesus Remained Silent”. Matthew 26:63 NIV

This is a character or habit that must be mastered if we are to walk with God like Enoch did. Satan deeply understands that if he can keep you busy and believing that your opinion is needed or that you can solve all problems. You don’t need to wait on the Lord because you believe God has given your wisdom or knowledge for you to think on your own. Satan never wants for you to get that close to God and trust Him in all situations.  To make God your refuge.

How did Satan get us to the belief that we can or should try and solve every situation and problem on our own? 

It is because you have allowed him to infiltrate you with the wrong definition of waiting, silence and still.

You associate these words with being passive, not doing anything, an insult to your knowledge and time. Satan has structured a world where we want it in an instance and a belief that we deserve everything immediately when we ask for it or desire it.

But God has a very different definition of those three words.  The time spent in waiting, stillness and silence is an active time for growth in relationship with God.

When I want to plant a vegetable, I first put the tiny seed in a small amount of specialized dirt in a seedling tray. The seedlings do not sprout for about a week or two. My Chinese eggplants did not sprout for over twenty-one days.  The trays are put on shelves where there is a grow light above them. The first leaves to appear are cotyledon leaves.  They are there to absorb energy and help the roots form.  Then the true leaves of the plant appear, and the cotyledon leaves dry up and disappear. This happens over a three-to-four-week period.   Once I get two sets of true leaves then the plant is ready to be moved outdoors and become what it truly was supposed to be.

Was I just sitting there passively and not doing anything during that time?  Not at all.  Watering, fertilizing, turning on the grow light and monitoring the time spent under the light.  Checking the growth and color and roots every day.

Waiting on God is and should be a very active time.   Time spent deep in soul searching, praying, fasting, opening His word and diving deep into the meanings of the words. Listening for His voice and preparing yourself for the outcome. Sleeping and letting your lamp go out is not what God had in mind.

It also requires your total trust in the outcome or the answer.  We are told that God’s ways are not our ways. So why are you waiting for an answer that you want and understand? If you are waiting for the answer you want, be prepared for a long time while the Holy Spirit works on your control issues.

If you are interested in taking the next step in your growth with God, sit still, silent and wait.  He knows what He has planned for you.  It is an awesome future. What you had planned will not be anything compared to what God has in store for you.

Don’t underestimate God’s desire to walk with you in the garden.

Prayers for All.

Larry