Habakkuk 2:20
The LORD is in his holy temple; let all the earth be silent before him.
Zephaniah 1:7
Be silent before the Sovereign LORD, for the day of the LORD is near. The LORD has prepared a sacrifice; he has consecrated those he has invited
To be silent before God is precious. So much noise, so much rushing, so much opinion in our world! It is good to put our hands on our mouths and in total quietness, bring our souls to God, allowing ourselves simply to be present under His majesty and holiness. To be quiet before God means that who God is, and who we are is brought into focus, even above our needs.
Like a tiny child quietly in the arms of its father, silence before the Lord is to know that God owns us. Like a slave before a king, silence before the Lord is to honour Him as majestic. Like a soldier before a general, silence before the Lord is to acknowledge His supreme authority. As sheep before a shepherd who calls us by name, silence before the Lord is to wait on Him with expectation for provision, protection and tender care.
In the two verses we have before us today, why do you think we are commanded to be silent before the Lord?
Plan to spend 15 minutes today (less if you can’t make 15) in silence before God, bringing yourself to Him and meditating on His greatness and grace.
Psalms 46:10-11 (NIV)
He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.