Why is the practice of silence/solitude so important?
As a man, Jesus repeatedly practiced it because He needed to be alone with His Father.
We need to be silent if we want to hear what God’s Spirit inside us desires to tell us as we read the Bible.
It is one form of biblical worship repeatedly mentioned in the Bible that some churches never practice.
Silence has the potential to teach us that we are not in control but God is.
What does the Bible mean by meditation?
First, we need to clarify what Christian meditation is NOT. It is not the same as what eastern religions mean when they want to meditate. Their goal is to empty the mind.
Biblical meditation is simply thinking about God and His Word, focusing our attention on him and his character and on the truths of His Word.
After the death of Moses, the Lord instructs Joshua to lead the people of Israel into the Promised Land, and God commands him to be strong and courageous, to obey His Laws, and to MEDITATE on God’s law day and night so that he will be prosperous and successful in the task God has given him.
“Meditating on God’s Word helps us bridge the gap between what we have read and how we live.”
It helps us see how we can bring His Word to the daily situations we face and to make specific application of the truth we have read.
One of the most important things we can do to be shaped and molded by the Word of God is to allow time after we read for reflection on it.
It is natural and common to combine the two Christian spiritual practices of silence and meditation. We need silence to think and we need the meditation on God’s Word to help us think about what God wants us to think about.
“What does God want to say to me through His Word?”
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. Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it only leads to evil (Psalm 37:7-8).
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the sun. A time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent, and a time to speak (Ecclesiastes 3:1, 7 ).
Be still before the sovereign lord for the day of the lord is near (Zephaniah 1:7).
Be still and know that I am god. I will be exalted among the nations. I will be exalted in the earth (Psalm 46:10).
The first thing I invite us to think about in silence is the character of God. Last year we heard a preaching series on the attributes of God, His Character. In Exodus 34:6-7, here is how God described Himself to Moses. In Revelations 4:6-11, John describes a vision of God on His throne in heaven.
I invite us to take some time in silence to offer or words of praise, nor for what God has done for us, but simply for WHO HE IS.
Time of Confession & Forgiveness
For those who come from a more liturgical form of worship, you will know that the time of confession comes early in the service. One reason for that is that we believers can confess our sins so that we can go forward thru the rest of the service with our sins confessed and forgiveness asked for and given.
Now please read The 10 Commandments and words of Jesus (Exodus 20:2-17; Mark 7:20-23). The promise of forgiveness (Psalms 103:8-13).
Time for Thanksgiving
It is now that we can go forward with cleansed and joyful hearts into a time of Thanksgiving.
Please read Psalms 89:1-13. The blessings God has given you or others, and express that praise of thanks to Him for all that He has done for us.
Wrong expectations coming out of these practices:
I am practicing asking God to change my spouse
I am practicing in order for God Bring back my prodigal son/daughter
I am practicing in order to Find a spouse, job, place to live, true happiness.
I am doing this in order to have a mind-blowing, awesome expectations with you and if I don’t have that exp. I will be disappointed.
Biblical expectations:
God, as I spend time with you alone, how do you want to change me?
God show me my sins that I continue to deny or ignore or rationalize.
Grow in me an attitude, a desire that says, Your WILL be done not mine.
God, help me to see and believe that my true identity, lasting peace and deepest satisfaction is be found in You alone.
Spiritual Practices are one time we can be totally selfish and make it about me and my spiritual growth to become more like Jesus.
Let me encourage you as I encourage myself to spend time alone with God in Fasting, Silence and Meditation so that He can transform me to become more like Jesus.
