“The quiet words of the wise are more to be heeded
than the shouts of a ruler of fools.
Wisdom is better than weapons of war,
but one sinner destroys much good.”
In today’s world, we are not lacking things to hear. If you have ever been in the middle of the wilderness where all you hear is nature, you understand what I mean. It also happens while you are in a conversation with someone and that awkward moment of silence comes. You feel compelled to fill it with something. That awkward moment of silence feels so uncomfortable that you would rather fill the empty space with anything rather than leave it empty of words.
We seem to be driven into a constant drowning of noise on purpose. This could be words from people, music, or podcasts. All of which fill that empty space we often deem as awkward and uncomfortable. I find it interesting that Solomon tells us that the “quiet” words of wisdom are more important than the loud shouting of people in important places. God has never shouted at me and if you read the Bible, it tells us that Jesus would retreat to a “quiet” place and pray. There is something about being still and quiet that is the key.
One of my favorite verses comes from Psalm 46:10, it reads “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” I love the be still part. It compels me to just be still and quiet and listen to the Holy Spirit. That awkward moment of silence now looks like the place where the Holy Spirit is speaking and not me. If I fill every empty space with words, I am like the ruler of fools in verse 17, not to be heeded and unimportant.
Our human nature is to charge in and just do it as the Nike slogan would say. I challenge you to stop and be still and use wisdom. Stop and be still in that big decision. Stop and be still about going out with that boy/girl. Stop and be still about budgeting money. God is all about the small things. Read the gospels and you will see that Jesus had something to say about small details. He would rather you be still and use wisdom rather than to Peter the whole issue and draw the sword. (read the story in John 18:10-11)
Today, practice being still and quiet before God and you will hear the wisdom of the Lord in that still small voice. Silence is good when God is speaking. Fill it with shouts of folly and you will never hear Him at all.
Prayer: Father, help us to be still and know that you are God. Help us to close out the noise of the world and listen for your still quiet voice. Elijah found you in the stillness and we will as well. I pray that we practice being still and quiet listening to your Holy Spirit guide us and speak to us. In Jesus name, amen.
Let It Go 
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