I was given a devotional by a woman at the church where I was
doing pulpit supply. It is entitled, Holy Land Moments by a Jewish Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein and a Christian professor Tremper Longman III. In one of the devotions, Rabbi Eckstein describes the Torah scrolls where the Song of Moses [Song of the Sea] is recorded [Exodus 15].
Vast empty spaces? Time to reflect on the magnitude of what God has done? This caused me to think about a scene described by the Apostle John at the end of the Bible where there is silence in heaven for about a half an hour. (Revelation 8:1). Can you imagine being before the throne of God with a vast array of angels and archangels and being quiet for a half hour? What were they thinking about while sitting in silence for that half hour?
I am struck by my own inability to remain silent for long periods of time. Not just not talking, but not writing or not obsessing as my brain chatters away. But I am convinced that this is something we need; something I need. As the great mathematician and follower of Jesus, Blaise Pascal said:
All of humanity’s problems? I don’t know about that but I certainly know that a lot of my problems stem from my inability to quiet my chattering brain and sit in silence in Jesus’ presence. Perhaps I will do it right now! Why don’t you join me?