Maybe like me you have noticed the world seems to be raging and quaking. You read social media and watch the news. You think about it when you drink your morning coffee and you pray. You may ask yourself the question, “Should I speak up? Do I need to add my voice to the truth-tellers?” I wonder this at times. Sometimes the answer is yes. But more often than not, I think silence may be the right move.
I’ve been in the book of Habakkuk this past year. This farmer-prophet has landed himself square in the middle of my new book and my heart. Here is just one reason why:
“In the midst of declaring his faith, Habakkuk was once again made aware of the evil in the world around him. Isn’t that usually the case? When we take a stand for Jesus, the whole world looks like it is doing its level best to defy God. Habakkuk seemed to ramble on and on about “soul empty” men who cheat, murder, and steal to get ahead. He recognized the idolatry of their self-filled lives and knew it would bring nothing but woe. In stark contrast to that misery, he declared that the glory of the Lord would fill the entire earth. And what would be Habakkuk’s response to such glory? He said, “The Lord is in his holy temple; let all the earth keep silence before him” (2:20). Habakkuk responded to God’s presence with silence. Astounding.
The prophet who had so much to say in the opening pages of his book is now without words. In support of Habakkuk’s response, Matthew Henry commented that “It is the duty of [God’s] people to attend him with silent adoring, and patiently wait for his appearing to save them in his own way and time.”
And so Habakkuk—the prophet, the word speaker, the truth teller—is left speechless in the presence of the Lord, confident that in his own sovereign timing the Lord will save his people. It is almost as if you can feel Habakkuk exhale. When was the last time you exhaled the craziness of life and sat before the Lord in silent adoration? Isn’t it unbelievable to think that, of all we could say to and do for the Lord, sometimes he just wants our silent presence with him? As we approach God in worship, silence can be more than golden. It can be the space we need in order to receive grace.”
As we look toward Christmas. The stable. The baby who came to save us and defeat the powers of a dark, dark world. May we consider,sometimes the right response is silence mixed with awe inspiring worship.
xo,
Stacey
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