What a nerve-racking existence many people live today. It is a restless, hurrying age in which we live, and many people are building their lives upon quivering nerves. This seems to be peculiarly characteristic of Americans. In the pursuit of wealth, power and pleasure multitudes of people are rushing through life at a mad pace. I do not know of any word that needs more to be said to the American people today than that of our text "Be quiet."
The gains of quietness are manifold. "In quietness ... shall be your strength." When we possess our souls in quietness our strength is renewed. "They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength." As we wait quietly in the presence of the Most High He releases in our lives new supplies of spiritual power. In the crowded activities of everyday life the soul's vitality is quickly used up; we all are constantly in need of that renewal which comes through waiting upon the Lord in quietness.
The practice of quietness is the only way to secure ourselves against breaking down from exhaustion. It is also the only way to keep our minds cleared of misconceptions and confusion. Life presents many perplexing and harassing problems which can be comprehended and solved only as we come apart from the crowd and think them through in silence. There are times when life becomes a bewildering maze, and we do not know what to think or what to do. Our safeguard against losing our way at such a time, is through listening to the gentle whispering of the still small voice of God which becomes audible to us only as we wait silently before Him.
"Say unto him, be quiet" (Isaiah 7:4).
Dr. John R. Gunn
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