Devotionals for the Heart: Silence

Silence
A devotional by Glynis Becker

“My soul, wait in silence for God only, for my hope is from Him. He only is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold; I shall not be shaken.” ~Psalm 62:5-6 (NASB)

Silence can be a hard commodity to come by in this day and age. I don’t know about anyone else, but when it comes to either finding a place to sit in silence or the ability to shut my mouth when I should, neither is easy.

One night during our last family vacation I fell asleep listening to a mediation app while wearing a pair of noise-cancelling headphones. I’m not sure how long I slept but I woke up, suddenly, in the dark, heart racing, terrified. It occurred to me later how much we use our sense of hearing to orient ourselves and when I awoke in an unfamiliar place with no background noise, I had no sense of connection to anything and it was a terrifying feeling.

So if we, consciously or not, use noise as a natural orientation to the chaotic world around us, isn’t it possible that God uses our intentional silence and stillness to orient us better to His?

I understand that for many people who have hearing disabilities silence is not a choice. Though, I think physical silence is only one aspect of what David addresses in this psalm. Getting our bodies and voices to settle down is one thing, but obtaining a quiet spirit and a settled mind is something else.

Raise your hand if the minute you decide to pray or meditate, a thousand new ideas that have nothing to do with prayer or meditation immediately flood into your thoughts: Don’t forget to put bread on the grocery list. I need to get through all those papers on my desk at work. What should we do about next summer’s vacation? 

Anyone else? Please tell me I’m not the only one!

I think that silence — physical, emotional, or mental — is so opposite our nature that finding it can only come as a part of seeking God. Notice in this verse, how David is actually addressing his own soul and commanding it to “wait in silence for God only.” He even spells out why he knows he should do this: “for my hope is from Him.” 

When we, like David, wait in silence with quiet minds and quiet lips, we will find connection with Him. In turn, that connection with the Lord gives us hope, another commodity in short supply it seems these days.

Find a moment or two to be silent before God. For most of us, this will take effort, but ask Him to help you. I believe every time we sincerely seek Him, with an honest heart and a open hand, He will meet us exactly where we are. And it will always be a blessing.

My Prayer: Father God, settle my heart today in silence, so that I can hear You and feel Your presence. Allow me to see Your hope in my life and in the world around me. And give me opportunities to share that hope with someone who needs it. I pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

~*~
Author Bio: 

Glynis Becker writes fiction, devotions, and screenplays. 

She is a wife, mother of teenagers and a part-time administrative assistant.

In her spare time she likes to read, try new recipes, crochet, and cheer on the Minnesota Vikings. 

You can find her at www.glynisbecker.com.