Davids Daily Dose

Hearing God in the Stillness

The chapel where my wife and I attend worship was built in 1935. Constructed in the Neo-gothic style, it resembles a smaller version of a Western European cathedral. And like any old building, it has a unique personality. As a musician, I used to enjoy the quirky sounds our little chapel made. The creaky floor boards in the choir loft were my favorite.

But the powers that be decided to install a fancy geo-thermal heating and air-conditioning system in the building. One with a fan motor that runs 24/7. And the incessant drone of moving air–through the vents in the sanctuary–totally ruined the audio ambiance!

But this past Sunday a miracle occurred! Someone switched the HVAC fan to run on a cycle. You can hear the church building again-creaky floor boards and all!

I sat there in the choir loft before the worship service, soaking in the silence. Then it came to me in a moment of sudden insight: “It’s so quiet you can hear God!”

How many times in life does the “white noise” of the world drowned out His still, small voice? All the screens in my home practically scream, “Pay attention to me!” Then there’s the miniature slot machine in my pocket.📲 Some still call it a phone. Yet it’s far more addictive than the kind that once sat on a little table.☎️

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

Stillness does not come naturally to me. I’ve always been a bit of a squirrel.🐿. I savor quiet contemplation with God, but find I must carve this time out if it’s going to happen.

For the past forty or so years–since I was a teenager–I’ve consistently spent time with God at the beginning of every morning. The first hour of the day, it’s just Him and me. I read scripture and devotional thoughts, spend time in prayer, and jot down my impressions.

Incidentally, I found the Lord’s prescription for hearing Him better: “In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it.”— Isaiah 30:15 (NIV) The Israelites of that time didn’t listen; but you and I know better.

What is your practice for spending quality time with God? I’d love to hear about it! Please share in the comments, if you’d like.

🙏❤️ prayers and love.

Photo by Irina Iriser on Pexels.com. This isn’t my church, but it looks similar.

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44 responses to “Hearing God in the Stillness”

  1. davidsdailydose Avatar
    davidsdailydose

    Thank you, Neal. God Bless.

    Liked by 2 people

  2. Neal Saye Avatar
    Neal Saye

    Lovely.

    Liked by 2 people

  3. davidsdailydose Avatar
    davidsdailydose

    I like how you said we must be flexible to the Holy Spirit’s leading regarding when and where we meet with God. Otherwise, we could become too legalistic. I appreciate your reading and commenting on so many of my posts, Dawn. Blessings!

    Liked by 2 people

  4. Dawn Avatar
    Dawn

    My time with God routine has varied over the years. I love prayer walks out in nature. I also take time to pray and listen during my lunch hour. At one point I called my car my little sanctuary because I would use the long drive to work to talk to Him. I also went through a period of time where it seemed God would wake me 3:30 every morning for prayer. I think it’s important to let the Holy Spirit have His way and we must be willing to change as He leads. We don’t want to miss out by putting Him in a box. Being still is such a great way to hear His voice. Thanks David, this was enjoyable to read and helpful. 🤗❤️

    Liked by 2 people

  5. Pure Glory Avatar
    Pure Glory

    You are welcome! No problem, it is understood that you have a life beyond your blog. Abundant blessings!

    Liked by 2 people

  6. davidsdailydose Avatar
    davidsdailydose

    Sorry it took me so long to approve your comment. I’m a little behind in checking my feed, and it got lost in the back log.
    I like how you don’t necessarily do the same thing, with the Lord. all the time, but follow the Holy Spirit’s lead.
    Thank you for sharing. I am grateful for your comment! Again, I’m sorry it took me so long to approve it. Blessings!

    Liked by 2 people

  7. Pure Glory Avatar
    Pure Glory

    Like to shake things up a bit so it does’t become routine. I will ask Holy Spirit to be my teacher. As I listen he may give me a verse to look up and highlight a phrase. Then Hebrew or Greek meanings and also look them up in a dictionary. Write them down and ask what he wants to teach me. Other times, I may have a Bible verse I think about all day to replace negative thoughts. Other times, I start my day with thankfulness to God. May sing a song to him and listen to his reply. As my day goes by I may pause and listen to what he is saying.

    Liked by 1 person

  8. davidsdailydose Avatar
    davidsdailydose

    I’m glad you understand what I was attempting to say, brother. I didn’t mean we should pray and read the Bible 24/7. There is a time and place for both contemplating and acting. Thanks for your input!

    Liked by 1 person

  9. Alan Kearns Avatar
    Alan Kearns

    I love how you highlight the value of stillness in our spiritual journey. It is one of these things I find that you don’t realise how much you’ve missed it until you experience it again. Recently I have been enjoying the stillness in our back garden patio at dusk, the birds and the breeze in the woods that borders our home make a beautiful focus for prayer.
    God bless you brother.

    Liked by 2 people

  10. davidsdailydose Avatar
    davidsdailydose

    Your “pray-as-you-go” strategy is a good one, Scribelady. I would do well to follow your example, as my prayer and devotional study tends to be only in the morning.
    My intention was not to present a formula for fellowship with God. The Holy Spirit always knows best. There are many ways to spend time with our Heavenly Father. Thank you for sharing yours!

    Blessings.

    Liked by 1 person

  11. scribelady Avatar
    scribelady

    I admire all the commenters who have specific, daily times of prayer and reading/studying God’s Word. I don’t, but need to get into that pattern. I’ve tried, but keep failing at it.

    I do pray at odd times–while waiting at a garage, or in line at a store. Back in January, I was upset at certain events. I was crying and praying in the car. God said, “Be still, and know that I am God”. One day at a garage, the thought occurred to me: I could use the time to pray. It was a wonderful opportunity, and I took it. I felt enriched by it. I keep a list of prayer requests on a “Sticky Note” on the desktop. As soon the desktop appears, I’m reminded of needs.

    I read a devotional every night. I can think about it as I am waiting to go to sleep. I also am memorizing hymns and praise songs, and re-read or say them in my mind. As with the devotional, it gives me something much better to ponder than worries or anxieties.

    This afternoon I spent time re-reading notes from the pastor’s sermon this am. I added some verses which went with the topic. I find this practice seems to implant the message in my mind more.

    Liked by 2 people

  12. davidsdailydose Avatar
    davidsdailydose

    🤣🤣🤣

    Like

  13. Beth Alisan Avatar
    Beth Alisan

    Love the title David. It made me laugh out loud. The kids are watching Star Wars so its music was playing in the background as I read your comment. Now I have visions of a puppy and parent dueling it out with light sabers.

    Liked by 2 people

  14. davidsdailydose Avatar
    davidsdailydose

    I plan to be the first person in line waiting to experience, 🎬🎥🍿“Morning Interrupted: the epic tale of one puppy’s power over an entire family.”🎬🎥🍿

    Liked by 2 people

  15. Beth Alisan Avatar
    Beth Alisan

    David, so much of what you wrote struck a chord. I love the miracle you experienced. I’m sad that the sights and sounds of technology have chipped away the quiet reprieve church used to offer from the world. I miss the days of acoustic guitar, piano, and tambourines in the simple setting of a wooden chapel where the primary source of light was from the large windows lining the sides of the sanctuary. I had to smile at your question, “What is your practice for spending quality time with God? I’d love to hear about it!” My answer today is different than what it would have been 3 months ago. The arrival of a puppy led to some changes in my morning quiet time, which has become the lesson for next month which will be titled either “Mornings Interrupted” or “Something New.” One thing is for certain I need that still time with the Lord each morning to be grounded and equipped for what the day holds.

    Liked by 2 people

  16. davidsdailydose Avatar
    davidsdailydose

    If the church walls could talk! The little Baptist church where I grew up still used the original building when I was a kid. The floors creaked. The windows would hardly open. And there was a giant bell in the steeple you could actually ring! Thanks for sharing your memories! See what you did? You helped bring back one of mine!

    Like

  17. carrieconnell Avatar
    carrieconnell

    I know I miss me at my parents church, the church I grew up in. And I miss the Whoopie cushion sounding chairs LOL and a lot of other things. I used to love those chairs though I’d get in trouble for deliberately moving around in the chair so it would make that sound LOL …I was supposed to be “perfect” like a preachers kid because my mom was one of the founders of their church LOL!!!

    Liked by 1 person

  18. davidsdailydose Avatar
    davidsdailydose

    Thanks for adding your perspective, Lorie. I apologize for taking a bit to approve your comment. I was away from my phone for a little while.

    It’s actually a relief to know I’m not the only one who gets mad at God. He seems to take it pretty well though. I always come around to His view point any way. 😌

    Liked by 1 person

  19. lorietalkslife Avatar
    lorietalkslife

    Mornings are the key for me. I’m sure God takes His coffee the way I do! I like the Bible app as a tool to get me into the word and just this week I began pulling up worship music on YouTube to sit a moment praising Him. In May I was so mad I said God I’m done with you. That lasted about two weeks. He really is the rock I can count on. I have to make space for him; otherwise, like you, the noise and demands of the world get in the way. Your chapel sounds lovely.

    Liked by 2 people

  20. davidsdailydose Avatar
    davidsdailydose

    Sign me up!🤠

    Liked by 1 person

  21. God Still Speaks Avatar
    God Still Speaks

    I’ve put on silent, day retreats at the ranch, and it is so hard for some folks at first to detach from their phones, but by the end of the day, they are amazed at what quiet feels like!

    Liked by 1 person

  22. davidsdailydose Avatar
    davidsdailydose

    I like your “church.” It’s also hard to have disagreements with others when you’re walking alone—out in the fields with God. Your forced detox is also a good idea. Thanks for sharing!

    Liked by 1 person

  23. God Still Speaks Avatar
    God Still Speaks

    Wow, it is so quiet you can hear God! I walk outside on my ranch and get the same quiet. And I have no cell at the ranch, so it is a welcomed forced digital detox. And the view in this “church” was made by God Himself!

    Liked by 3 people

  24. francisashis Avatar
    francisashis

    Amen.Thank you very much.🙏

    Liked by 1 person

  25. davidsdailydose Avatar
    davidsdailydose

    Thank you for sharing. I used to read three different devotional offerings each morning. Now, I usually read one and glean thoughts from my blogger friends on Word Press. Like you!

    Like

  26. SimplyB Avatar
    SimplyB

    Great post. Quietness is the key to hearing God but like you say the distractions are abundant I start my day with reading a Bible devotion and writing my personal thoughts on the scripture and a prayer. For a long time I was also reading a short devotional at bedtime. I somehow got out of that routine but not sure why. It was a great help to have a peaceful night of sleep.

    Liked by 2 people

  27. davidsdailydose Avatar
    davidsdailydose

    I like how you say our daily conversation with God can be unending. There is no data limit, so we never need to hang up. I like your old church building too, Gary. As a Baptist, I’ve seen and heard a few pulpit pounders.
    Blessings!

    Liked by 2 people

  28. Gary Fultz Avatar
    Gary Fultz

    Mornings are my quiet time with the Lord. Each morning sets the days tone within me it seems. How I react to the events of the day, I discovered a long time ago that when I start my conversation with the Lord, it tends not to end throughout the day. His is a presence and not a phone line to click on and off. I tend to introduce the Lord into my conversations with others that way. I love the creaky old church and I’ve never been there. I grew up in one made of rough cut lumber off the mill on site assembled by a committee. If the pastor pounded the pulpit too hard the church building would answer.

    Liked by 2 people

  29. davidsdailydose Avatar
    davidsdailydose

    I am grateful for your insights, always, Bridget. Your well crafted comments could often be posts in themselves! Thank you for dropping in. Blessings!

    Liked by 2 people

  30. Bridget A. Thomas Avatar
    Bridget A. Thomas

    I love this post. You spoke to my heart. I agree with you 100%. This world bombards us with too much “noise” and distractions. And I am convinced that we all miss out on so much from God because of it. I love quiet but don’t seem to get enough of it. Thank you for this gentle reminder to be still and slow down, so we may hear the voice of God.
    (And by the way, you made me laugh calling your phone a slot machine. That is perfect because you are absolutely right – they are addicting.)

    Liked by 2 people

  31. davidsdailydose Avatar
    davidsdailydose

    Me too, Betty! The early morning is my time day. Thanks for sharing!

    Liked by 1 person

  32. Betty Avatar
    Betty

    I love the quiet and stillness of the early morning. I pray anytime, but it is in the morning, when I reflect, listen, and write.

    Liked by 1 person

  33. davidsdailydose Avatar
    davidsdailydose

    Yes indeed! This particular scripture has become somewhat of a life verse for me, as of late. Thank you for sharing!

    Liked by 1 person

  34. Don't Lose Hope Avatar
    Don’t Lose Hope

    “In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength.” This is one of my favourite verses. It is so powerful and transformative if we let the words sink out, and then be worked out in our lives.

    Liked by 2 people

  35. davidsdailydose Avatar
    davidsdailydose

    Wow! I thought I got up early. Coffee and scripture are a morning must have for me too.
    I appreciate your sharing, Barb. God Bless!

    Liked by 1 person

  36. davidsdailydose Avatar
    davidsdailydose

    It is pretty amazing. Thankfully, no one has filled the silence with canned praise music before the worship service. Simply sitting in a beautiful building and contemplating my existence (with God) is a blessing! Thanks, Barb.

    Liked by 2 people

  37. davidsdailydose Avatar
    davidsdailydose

    Thank you for this thought! Being the “hands and feet” of Christ is truly a form of contemplative worship. By putting deeds behind our prayers–ministering to others in God’s name–we follow the example of Jesus.

    Blessings!

    Liked by 1 person

  38. francisashis Avatar
    francisashis

    To spend quality time with God one can spend some time for those who are eagerly waiting to meet God for their basic needs to survive .In that case you have to play the role of God or be the Representative of God with all that you can afford.Thank you very much sir.Take care and God bless.🌹😊🙏

    Liked by 1 person

  39. My Life in Our Father's World Avatar
    My Life in Our Father’s World

    I get up at 3:30-4:00 every morning. God chooses the time. I then have large cup of coffee (or 2) while I study the word & pray. I use a variety of printed materials as well as the YouVersion app.

    Liked by 2 people

  40. My Life in Our Father's World Avatar
    My Life in Our Father’s World

    I would love to visit your church & hear God in the stillness!

    Liked by 2 people

  41. davidsdailydose Avatar
    davidsdailydose

    Thanks for sharing, Bruce. I like to walk and pray as well! There’s something about being out in God’s creation that draws me closer to Him.

    I’m not surprised that you have quiet times with God built into your life, Bruce. No one could write like you do without it!

    A blessed day to you as well!

    Liked by 2 people

  42. davidsdailydose Avatar
    davidsdailydose

    Thanks for your contribution, Rainer! What struck me is how I eventually got used to the constant sound of air flowing. When it stopped, it was like, “Wow!”

    I’ve never been a hard-core journal guy–don’t like the sight of my own handwriting! But I do write down key thoughts as God presents them to me.

    Yes, my church is a beautiful old building. It’s situated on the Army base where I work. Sadly, it is in need of a major renovation. Thankfully, the government is fixing it a little bit at a time.

    Thanks again for stopping by! Blessings.

    Liked by 1 person

  43. Bruce Cooper Avatar
    Bruce Cooper

    Hi David, with me it is walking alone and praying, where I am not watching any clock and it’s just God and me. I also pray while driving at times and of course kneeling and sometimes just sitting at my desk but I love the walking and praying best. You have yourself a blessed day! Love in Christ – Bruce

    Liked by 1 person

  44. The Devotional Guy™ Avatar
    The Devotional Guy™

    Funny how one person flipping a switch or changing a setting makes all the difference. The possibility was there all along. But someone had to take the initiative. I wonder. If they were sparked by a desire to get all those old church sounds back or if someone was doing maintenance and stumbled onto it?

    For me, I make myself get up earlier than I need to in order to get to work so that I am able to spend time with God. I am contemplating changing up how I spend that time as my reading time often means picking up my phone to access my Bible app. I’ve been readying through different reading plans for focused on particular topics. Right now, I am working through the Beatitudes.

    I like your practice of writing your thoughts and impressions down. I may start doing that again, too.

    Excellent post. It sounds like you worship in a beautiful old church.

    Liked by 2 people

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