Habakkuk 2:20 “But the Lord is in His holy temple: let all the earth keep silence before Him.”
There was a time when we read this before each service in our church. A time to bow our heads and consider that we were gathered together to worship God.
It is a good practice to do the same thing, sometime during the day….to bow the head,….and consider the Almighty God.
We often think of His attributes: His mercy, grace, His unchanging love, His power….
….but to contemplate God, in His majesty…in the fullness of His splendor….Who created and upholds the universe, and all that is in it…is helpful.
Psalm 104:1-3 “Bless the Lord, O my soul. O Lord my God Thou art very great; Thou art clothed with honor and majesty:
Who coverest Thyself with light as with a garment: Who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain:
Who layeth the beams of His chambers in the waters: Who maketh the clouds His chariot: Who walketh upon the wings of the wind:”
For me, it keeps me small.
I can get stuck into the middle of many things….and get to think that all I need to do is keep moving.
But God says: be quiet….stop…let the silence of your awe and reverence for Me, still your soul.
And it works.
Psalm 46:10-11 “Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.
The Lord of Hosts is with us: the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.”
I love these verses….they remind me of when Israel was standing at the Red Sea…with the most powerful army of the day behind them, with vengeance;….
….yet God says, “Stand still, and see…”
So when I have these verses….I think that God knows what is around me….I must stop….watch, and wait on Him to speak….
….to speak about what I need to deal with.
….to speak about a battle ahead (John 16:13)
….to speak about Himself.
“Be still and know that I am God.”
Psalms 93:1-2 “The Lord reigneth, He is clothed with majesty; the Lord is clothed with strength, wherewith He hath girded Himself: the world also is stablished, that it cannot be moved.
Thy throne is established of old: Thou art from everlasting.”
Our God is the Almighty God….full of power, mercy, goodness, strength, wisdom, knowledge,…
Psalms 91:1-2 “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in Him will I trust.”
I believe that “secret place” is the quiet times before Him, when we know He is God Almighty, for us.
Habakkuk 2:20 “But the Lord is in His holy temple: let all the earth keep silence before Him.”
One day the whole earth will do so….the whole of mankind will have their mouths stopped,….from excuses, curses, and lies….(Romans 3:19, Matthew 12:36-37)
….but for us Christians, who belong to Him, we can stop and be still, now…..and know His majesty and power…..
….and find our rightful place before Him: at His feet.
Which gives order and perspective to everything else ahead.
Preaching, Teaching, and Notes 