Daily Devotional

Wait in Silence

For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him. He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken. On God rests my salvation and my glory; my mighty rock, my refuge is God.
Psalm 62:5-7

I headed out about 7am, from home.  It was my Monday “get away with the Lord” morning.  I did not tell Lynn where I was going, because I did not know myself!  I had reviewed several destinations in my heart, but had selected none.  I would let the Lord guide me to somewhere, by faith.

So before long, starting on 41N, I took the turnoff to North Fork.  I pulled slowly through town and on up to Manzanita Lake.  It looked like it would be my normal morning away.  I took my chair to a quiet, private area by the stream feeding the lake.  I had my Bible, journal, a pen and water.  I sought the Lord for a place to read in His word, and “received” it – James 4.

I read slowly through James 4, and there was nothing going on there for me, spiritually.  Curious.  So I walked around and prayed.  I sat again for a while.  I walked a significantly longer stretch, up the road for a mile or so.  Praying.  Waiting.  Still, nothing much was happening.

So I moved my chair down closer to the lake, at a picnic table.  I took some time to relax and look around.  I felt my spirit calming.  Finally a couple of verses from Psalm 62 started arising in my heart.  This two hours after I had arrived!  It never takes this long.

I was impacted by the following four phrases:  For God alone…O my soul…wait in silence…for my hope is from Him.

Usually about this time I would begin journaling, but I did not.  There was no movement of that kind.  So I waited.  For God alone.  I waited in silence.  Quieting even the words circulating in my mind.  For God alone.  Wait in silence.  So I sat.

This seemed to be the definition of my day at the lake!  I found it kind of hard to jettison my normal pattern – sit, seek a passage, read & pray, journal, walk around, pray & mediate.  But I knew it was God’s direction for me, that day.  It was clear that nothing else was in the plan of God’s presence up there.
 
For God alone.  Wait in silence.  What does it mean?  How long does it take?  What is to be expected to signal that the waiting period is complete, and the experience has come to an end?  I was not sure.  O my soul.  Wait in silence.  For God alone.  Have you ever tried to wait in silence?  No words?  No thoughts forming?  To just sit and wait?  It is a big challenge.  Give it a try.

Why do this silent waiting at all?  Per the fifth verse, because my hope is from Him.  I wrote the verses in my journal.  I waited in silence some more.  The answer is not in the location and tranquil scenery.  All that can be disturbed -- for example, by a bright orange-haired lady, walking barefoot around the lake and stream.  Or by two very large white geese which walked up about six inches from my knee, and stared at me for a long time.  Or another lady arriving, with three dogs, all off leash, running around.  Or by cigarette smoke.

All these things did take place, and more also.  Still, wait for God alone, O my soul!  Wait in silence!  My hope is from Him.

I wrote a bit in my journal.  It is not by religious or spiritual ways.  It is in God alone.  It is in waiting for Him.  Sitting in silence, until He “shows up.”

Whatever my need in my life, my hope is from Him.
His creation is beautiful, by my hope is from Him.
The solitude is pleasant, but my hope is from Him.
I like the wildlife, but my hope is in Him!
The breeze blesses me, but my hope is in Him!

I write these things three days later.  I have reflected on my experience.  Things got busy around lunchtime there, so I finally left.  I have pondered the verses given to me.  I used them for my meditation at night.  I recall them when I am busy and running, and all is not quiet.  I pray over them in my morning devotions.

My life has been greatly impacted.  The next day at work, and at home, was like a gentle, flowing stream, and effective.  Even now this waiting in silence passage and experience continues to resonate in me, and instruct me.
 
Solomon said we are to guard our steps when we go to the house of God.  To draw near to listen is better than offering the sacrifice of fools.  Do not be rash with your mouth.  Do not let your heart be hasty to utter a word before God.  He is in heaven.  We are on earth.  Let your words be few.  Eccl. 5:1-2

Perhaps Solomon was thinking about Psalm 62, a song of his father, David.  Maybe a bit of waiting in silence, for God alone, would do us much good, especially in our hurrying and worrying society.

I invite you to tell your soul to wait in silence, for God alone.  Why?  Because our hope is from Him.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.