Be still and know that I am God… The LORD Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Psalm 46:10-11

Noise is everywhere!  Our world is noisy, and scientists can prove that it’s not good for plants, animals or us.  In humans, it’s leading to higher blood pressure, elevated heart rates and poor sleep.[1]

Complete quiet is so rare, it feels almost alien. Ecuador recently certified the world’s first Quiet Wilderness Park, a space untouched by human development and as free from human noise as possible. Imagine such a sound sanctuary, free from the neighbor’s dog barking, cellphone ring tones, slamming doors and rumbling trucks.

What might we discover in a quiet space? We could focus our senses to connect with God through His Word, settling our inner selves enough to respond to God in that silence.

Yes, quiet helps us spiritually. God tells us to be still so that we may know who He is in Psalm 46:11. In the same passage, the Psalmist refers to our fortress, the God of a man named Jacob. Jacob made his bed along the road as he traveled, and when he fell into the quiet of sleep, God spoke to him. When he awoke, Jacob said, “Surely the Lord is in this place, and I was not aware of it” (Genesis 28:16).

Search your heart and be silent (Psalm 4:4). It is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord (Lamentations 3:26). We may not always have the opportunity of complete silence, but we can practice listening past the noise. Harness the times of silence you can find to rest and discover.

 

Resource reading: Psalm 46:1-11

[1] Goldman, S. (2020, March 18). Building a movement to preserve silence as a natural resource. Vox. https://www.vox.com/the-highlight/2020/3/18/21168504/gordon-hempton-wilderness-quiet-park-noise-pollution-zabalo-river-cofan.