[A ‘Tuesday Challenge‘ originally prepared for the congregation of Horley Baptist Church during October 2026]
He says, ‘Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.’
Psalm 46 v10 [NIVUK]
Stillness and its companion, silence, are increasingly rare experiences in our modern world. Even those who do not live close to a major airport or a motorway will always be aware of the persistent intrusion of movement and noise around us.
However, I do have two recollections of absolute stillness and silence. The first occasion was on the mountain road north of Machynlleth in mid-Wales. From the high vantage point of a convenient lay-by the aspect was that of a green and pleasant land, no wind, no birds, just sheep safely grazing at such a distance that their movement was imperceptible.
He lets me rest in fields of green grass. He leads me beside the quiet waters.
Psalm 23 v2 [NLV]
Do you know the value of a pause?
Is silence a vacuum that you feel compelled to fill?
The second occasion was in the desert south of Yanbu in Saudi Arabia (long before it became a famous oil terminal). The surrounding sand dunes were silent without even the archetypal camel train trekking across the horizon. Thankfully the tree under which I sat was rather more well-rooted than Jonah’s gourd.[1]
They will neither hunger nor thirst, nor will the desert heat or the sun beat down on them. He who has compassion on them will guide them and lead them beside springs of water.
Isaiah 49 v10 [NIVUK]
Are you a green fields or a desert roads type of person?
Can you recognise God’s blessings wherever you find yourself?
For most of us our daily experiences are not those of stillness and silence. We live with the cacophony of the people of many nations going to and fro upon the earth and pursuing their diverse plans with self-appointed urgency.
Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.
Psalm 37 v7 [NIVUK]
Do stillness and silence make you feel uncomfortable?
Do you feel the need to get up and do something?
Jesus had some advice for those who have difficulty finding a quiet place where they can enjoy being with God.
But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
Matthew 6 v6 [NIVUK]
There is a time to speak and there is a time to refrain from speaking. There is also a difference between hearing and listening. May God grant us the wisdom us to discern when each is appropriate.
Speak, Lord, in the stillness, whilst we wait on Thee;
Hushed our hearts to listen in expectancy.
Speak, Thy servant heareth, Be not silent, Lord;
Waits my soul upon Thee for the quickening word.
Emily May Crawford (1902)
So, are you ready to listen?
References:
[1] Jonah 4:7
Bible quotations: Unless otherwise specified, quotations are taken from the resources of Bible Gateway or Bible Hub, in accordance with the licencing conditions outlined on our Site Policies page.
Bible dates:
Where appropriate, the dates given for Biblical events are based on the Bible Timeline resource
and are subject to the constraints defined on the corresponding webpage.
Horley Baptist Church onlineHBC main site
Confidential prayer link
Link to Recent Reflections
Link to Index of Bible Passages
Last week’s reflection: All We Like Sheep
Contributed by Steve Humphreys; © Steve Humphreys