The Need for Silence

Elizabeth Elliot Devotional

It is always easier to add to the noise of the
world than to be silent. Silence is a very
precious thing--"There was silence in heaven
about the space of half an hour" (Rv 8:1 AV),
when the seventh seal was opened in the Book of
the Revelation. Thunder and horses and martyrs
and earthquakes had preceded the opening of this
seal. Hail, fire, blood, and fearful judgment
followed it--but in between, angels stood in the
presence of God and there was utter silence.

Have we learned to stand in God's presence,
mouths shut, hearts open? "Lord, what do you want
me to do?" We must be quiet in order to know Him
and to hear Him and to hear Him answer us.

"If any of you lack wisdom let him ask his
friends." No. That is not the Word of the Lord.
"If any of you lack wisdom let him ask of God"
(Jas 1:5 AV) is his Word to us. There is a place
for asking wisdom of godly friends, but let us
always go first to God.

"Be still"--that is, shut up--"and know that He
is God" (Ps 46:10 AV).