Importance Of Meditation: Keeping Silence Before God To Renew Your Strength
Keep silence before me,O islands,; and let the people renew their strength: let them come near; then let them speak: let us come near together in Judgement.
(Isaiah 41:1)
Sometimes we can just stay silent before God and meditate upon His word and goodness. In a world full of busyness and things that distract our attentions daily, having time to stay quietly with God and meditate is very important to us as Christians. In it, we find strength.
The bible says in Isaiah 40:31:
But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
Waiting also entails silence, deadening, and stilling one’s own will and desires to be in God’s presence and with Him, while we seek His face and to hear, see and know what He has and wants for us.
The phrase “keep silent before God and renew your strength” is rooted in the spiritual traditions of various religions, particularly Christianity. It emphasizes the importance of maintaining a contemplative silence in the presence of the divine to find inner peace and spiritual renewal.
God taught the prophet Elijah a very great lesson on the concept and principle of silence and waiting on the Lord in his encounter with God on Mount Horeb, as described in the First Book of Kings (Chapter 19). After experiencing a powerful display of God’s might through a whirlwind, earthquake, and fire, Elijah retreated to a cave. There, God instructed him to stand at the entrance and remain silent, as He was about to pass by.
As God passed by, Elijah covered his face with his cloak and waited in reverent silence. In that moment of stillness, he experienced a gentle whisper, which was the voice of God. This encounter taught Elijah that true strength and guidance come not from external forces or dramatic events, but from a humble and receptive heart that listens to the divine voice within.
The phrase “keep silent before God and renew your strength” serves as a reminder to seek moments of quiet reflection and contemplation in our daily lives. It encourages us to pause, let go of distractions, and create a sacred space where we can connect with the divine presence. In this state of silence, we can find inner peace, receive spiritual insights, and draw upon a deeper source of strength to face life’s challenges.
David frequently wrote about silence. He wrote, “Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him” in Psalm 37:7. And, “For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him” (Psalm 62:5). Don’t let all the noise and clutter of the world distract you. Focus on seeking God’s presence. Wait on Him.
For further study, see the following references:
The importance of quiet time with God: https://www.ibelieve.com/faith/the-importance-of-quiet-time-with-god.html
The power of silence in prayer: https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/prayer/the-power-of-silence-in-prayer.html
The practice of silence in Christian meditation: https://www.christianity.com/wiki/christian-life/the-practice-of-silence-in-christian-meditation.html
Prayer: Help us, Lord to realize the power in daily seeking your face and waiting on you in silence. Grant O God that in the midst of all the troubles and chaos of this world, we would learn to concentrate our minds on you and daily wait on You in silence as we renew our strength in You. Amen.