After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper.”
1 Kings 19:12 (NIV)
In our fast-paced, noise-filled world, silence often feels uncomfortable. A constant barrage of sounds, notifications, and distractions surrounds us. Even in our spiritual lives, we may need to fill every moment with words – whether in prayer, worship, or service. However, the story of Jericho in Joshua 6 teaches us a profound lesson about the power of silence in our relationship with God.
When the Israelites approached Jericho, they expected a typical battle strategy. Shouting! Rallying! Battlecries! Weapons clanging! Intimidation! This was the norm for ancient warfare, a cacophony designed to boost morale and strike fear into the enemy’s heart. The Israelites, fresh from their desert wanderings, were likely anticipating a chance to finally unleash their pent-up energy and frustration against the formidable walls of Jericho.
They imagined shouting fierce war cries, swords clanging against shields, and their leaders delivering inspirational speeches to rally the troops. The noise and action made their hearts race as they prepared to face their first major challenge in the Promised Land. They believed that being louder and more intimidating would improve their chances of victory.
Instead, God commanded something unexpected: silence. “Do not give a war cry, do not raise your voices, do not say a word until the day I tell you to shout. Then shout!” (Joshua 6:10). This command must have seemed strange, even counterintuitive, to a nation preparing for battle.
Yet, in this silence, God was creating space – space for His presence, His power, and His plan to unfold. The Israelites’ obedient silence demonstrated their trust in God’s unconventional methods and allowed them to focus entirely on following His lead.
“Silence is the garden of the soul.” – Elisabeth Elliot (American Christian author and speaker)
This profound statement reminds us that silence is not just an absence of noise, but a fertile ground where our relationship with God can flourish. Just as a garden needs space and nurturing to grow, our souls need moments of quiet to deepen our connection with the Divine.
Creating space for God’s presence in our lives requires intentional effort. It means carving out time in our busy schedules for silent reflection and prayer. It means learning to quiet not just our external environment, but also our internal thoughts and anxieties. It means resisting the urge to fill every moment with activity or noise.
As we practice silence, we may find that God’s voice becomes clearer. We may notice His guidance in situations we previously overlooked. We may experience a deeper sense of peace and connection with Him. Just like in 1 Kings 19, God often speaks to us in the quiet moments when we’ve stilled our hearts and silenced the noise around us.
The silence at Jericho wasn’t passive; it was an active, obedient response to God’s command. Similarly, our moments of silence should be active – not just an absence of noise, but a presence of expectation and openness to God.
Godseekers, creating space for God’s presence is not always easy in our noisy world. It requires discipline, intentionality, and sometimes, stepping out of our comfort zones. But as we learn to embrace these quiet moments, we open ourselves to experiencing God in new and profound ways.
Prayer
Lord, in the noise and busyness of our lives, help us create space for Your presence. Teach us the value of silence and stillness before You. May we, like the Israelites at Jericho, learn to obey Your commands even when they seem unconventional. Help us to quiet our hearts and minds, that we might hear Your gentle whisper. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Personal Reflection
- In what areas of your life do you find it most challenging to create quiet space for God?
- Can you recall a time when God spoke to you in a moment of silence or stillness? How did it impact you?
Step of Faith
Today, set aside 10 minutes of complete silence. Turn off all devices and find a quiet place. Use this time not to speak, but to listen for God’s voice. Pay attention to any thoughts, impressions, or Scripture verses that come to mind during this time. Consider making this a daily practice to create more space for God’s presence in your life.
