What
excitement there was when we spoke our first few words, and then our
voice got louder and louder, until our parents managed to quiet us down.
We then knew we can control the volume, and only screamed when we
didn't get our way. By the time we are
teenagers we want to listen to the latest pop star with the volume on
the television turned right up! Now on public transport I hear music
coming out of earphones from a portable player, and know it must be
blasting sound in the ear of the owner.
As we get to our senior years, we enjoy quietness much more and don't go to places where we can't hear ourselves think, like church with the worship band, or any large group of people really. What brought all this talk on? Christian television the other night had a worship team complete with drums, saxophone, guitars, piano and electronic organ singing an upbeat version of the grand old hymn "Blessed Quietness." Talk about an oxymoron!
Written in 1897 by Manie Ferguson, the chorus lyrics are:
Blessed quietness, holy quietness,
Blest assurance in my soul!
On the stormy sea, Jesus speaks to me,
And the billows cease to roll.
Actually God speaks in favor of quietness several times in His Word. "The words of the wise heard in quiet are better than the shouting of a ruler among fools" (Eccl. 9:17). Two amens to that one! "In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength" (Isaiah 30:15). "And the effect of righteousness will be peace, and the result of righteousness, quietness and trust forever. My people will abide in a peaceful habitation, in secure dwellings, and in quiet resting places" (Isaiah 32:17-18). "Be still, and know that I am God" (Psalm 46:10).
Yes, there is "a time to keep silence, and a time to speak" (Eccl. 3:7), a time to praise God and a time to be quiet in His presence. "Blessed quietness, holy quietness!"
As we get to our senior years, we enjoy quietness much more and don't go to places where we can't hear ourselves think, like church with the worship band, or any large group of people really. What brought all this talk on? Christian television the other night had a worship team complete with drums, saxophone, guitars, piano and electronic organ singing an upbeat version of the grand old hymn "Blessed Quietness." Talk about an oxymoron!
Written in 1897 by Manie Ferguson, the chorus lyrics are:
Blessed quietness, holy quietness,
Blest assurance in my soul!
On the stormy sea, Jesus speaks to me,
And the billows cease to roll.
Actually God speaks in favor of quietness several times in His Word. "The words of the wise heard in quiet are better than the shouting of a ruler among fools" (Eccl. 9:17). Two amens to that one! "In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength" (Isaiah 30:15). "And the effect of righteousness will be peace, and the result of righteousness, quietness and trust forever. My people will abide in a peaceful habitation, in secure dwellings, and in quiet resting places" (Isaiah 32:17-18). "Be still, and know that I am God" (Psalm 46:10).
Yes, there is "a time to keep silence, and a time to speak" (Eccl. 3:7), a time to praise God and a time to be quiet in His presence. "Blessed quietness, holy quietness!"
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