Talking Too Much


Do we realize how often our prayers or one-way non-stop conversations with a God who is worthy of our awe and reverence?

Revelation 8:1 (ESV) When the Lamb opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour.

I like this moment. The great tribulation has happened and the saints have been brought home and clothed in white. Now the terrible judgment of God on the world is about to happen. But this moment is not flippant or celebratory. It is awe-filled and serious. God never judges off hand or "just because." His judgements are true, right, and holy. And we must stand before Him in awe and wonder.

 There are many places in the Bible where silence was commended.

 Ecclesiastes 5:1–2 (ESV) Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. To draw near to listen is better than to offer the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they are doing evil. 2 Be not rash with your mouth, nor let your heart be hasty to utter a word before God, for God is in heaven and you are on earth. Therefore let your words be few.

Another place:




Zephaniah 1:7 (ESV) Be silent before the Lord God! For the day of the Lord is near; the Lord has prepared a sacrifice and consecrated his guests.

And Habakkuk also says:




Habakkuk 2:20 (ESV) But the Lord is in his holy temple; let all the earth keep silence before him.”

Simple truth: God is holy and we must guard our approach to Him. Yes, come boldly, but come reverently. Come with an attitude of humility and submission. Turn off the TV, the radio, the person you go too perhaps too often for their opinion.

Sometimes our churches also fail to capture this aspect of God's glory and wonder. We make a lot of noise through our entire meeting, we try to impress and inspire in the span of 90 minutes or so... we have a lot to say and not a lot of time to say it. What will happen if people don't get the message?

But silence can be golden. To stop paying so much attention to the petty offerings of humans and to learn to attune your ear to the voice of the Holy One. What if God has been trying to speak something over your life but you've been to busy seeking everyone else's opinion to pay attention? I don't want to miss what He may say.

Speak Lord, for Your servant is listening.

Amen.

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