We had cycled up a steep mountain track and finally arrived at the top, where a remote campsite was located. When our panting subsided, all we could hear was…nothing. It was incredibly still beside the occasional sound of a bird or gentle rustle of a leaf. It’s that silence that we sometimes refer to as deafening. It’s a strange phrase – “a deafening silence”, but that’s the impact of true silence. The prophet Zephaniah, in his short book, writes about God’s judgement on an evil world. Right at the start, he says, “Be silent before the Sovereign LORD, for the day of the LORD is near. The LORD has prepared a sacrifice; he has consecrated those he has invited.” (Zephaniah 1:7). In all the raging noise of nations and people who have forgotten God there is a simple instruction, “Be silent”. Why? It’s because in the silence that the deafening sound of God’s invitation is heard. It’s in the silence that we hear his “still, small voice” (1 Kings 19:12). God is extending an invitation to be part of the greatest celebration, the greatest kingdom, the greatest life ever. Can you hear it? If not, quiet the noise that roars in your life – worries, pursuits, conflicts, pleasures, and open your heart to God. Be still and hear his voice. Hear his invitation; it’s deafeningly loud. Open Bible – http://bit.ly/zep1vs7, http://bit.ly/1ki19v12
