◄ The Sacrifice of Silence ►

Be strong and take heart as you wait upon the Lord.
Psalm 27:14

My soul, wait thou only upon God. My soul, be thou silent unto God. My soul, be thou watchful unto God.
Psalm 62:5

Absolute Certainty

One of the most frequently underlined words in my Bible – is WAIT. Not the selfish waiting of a child for a present on Christmas morning.. not even the selfless silence as you intercede for an overburdened loved one, but a silence springing from absolute certainty that God knows what He’s doing. “My soul wait”..  quietly; patiently; trustingly. “My soul be thou silent”   quietly; patiently; trustingly. “My soul be thou watchful”..  quietly; patiently; trustingly.

Sure Confidence

Some silences result from surliness, resentfulness, grumpiness, incivility and pain. But here, the Psalmist alludes to confidence in the factual truth of God’s dependability. To wait in silent watchfulness is the most onerous and wearisome tasks for the soul.

Quiet Concentration

The sacrifice of silent waiting causes much mental and physical exhaustion,  for it is deep, concerted concentration on God. But as days and months and years roll by concentration becomes difficult – we fall asleep.

Silent Waiting

The concentrated vigilance of silent waiting is discouraging for the most seasoned saint, but silent waiting is required of all who seek to re-ascend transfiguration’s mount. But between now and then a dark overshadowing will inevitably overtake you. Between then and now a cloud of hiddenness will conceal the glory that awaits.

Demanding Sacrifice

All sacrifice is demanding.. whether the sacrifice of praise or the sacrifice of a broken, contrite heart – or placing your own beloved Isaac upon the alter of His dear love. But the Sacrifice of silence requires the greatest mental battle in prolonged prayer. The Sacrifice of prolonged prayer necessitates great struggle of your will.

Profound Perseverance

But silent-watchfulness and patient-waiting demands profound-perseverance. Blessed are they who wait – in silent, seeking, patient, persevering, watchful waiting. The LORD is wonderfully good to those who wait for Him and seek Him. We are told that those who wait for Me will never be put to shame, and those who wait on the LORD will find new strength. So be strong and take heart as you wait upon the Lord.