BBD 06.23.16 The Music of Silence (New)
Posted by: theburningbushdevotional <theburningbushdevotional@...>
Since June 8th 1998, this
is the 1757th
Burning Bush Devotional
23 June 2016
The Music of Silence
Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the
nations, I will be exalted in the earth! The Lord of hosts is with us; the God
of Jacob is our refuge. Selah – Psalm 46:10-11 NKJV.
In
1952, John Cage composed “4’33”. If
you had the sheet music, or musical score for this “music” it would consist entirely of rests. There was no music,
only silence. Cage defended his non-music by saying that he wanted to focus on
the space between the notes i.e. silence. There is an actual YouTube video with
soloist John Marx performing “4’33”.
The soloist sits at the grand piano, adjusts the music, and then closes the keylid,
or keyboard cover. The silence is
deafening! I do like a quote of from John Cage
as he says, “Everything
you do is music.”
Have
you noticed how hard it is to escape noise? I can remember when I was a boy
living on a farm there was no way at times to escape the silence. When I left
my career as a parole officer to become a pastor of a small rural church, one
of the hardest things to adjust to was the silence. Going from having a very
busy life with constant interactions with others to only having a few
opportunities each day to visit with people was a shock. I learned to adjust, listening
more for God’s small still voice. I talked with God for hours and hours.
Instead of doing things, effecting change in the physical world, by physical
means; my focus was changed to effecting change, moving mountains by spiritual
means.
Psalm 46 begins in this way, “God is
our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not
fear, even though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be
carried into the midst of the sea; Though
its waters roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with its swelling. Selah (Psalm 46:1-3 NKJV).” A continuing problem for the Israelites was making
allies with pagan nations and relying on military strength for their security.
The Psalmist urges his listeners to “be still”
and consider “God.” “Be still” and remember the
awesome works of the One true God who alone is worthy to be praised. God, the
Psalmist says is where you will find your help in trouble, God is the one who
will give you the refuge you seek.
When
you are still before God, when you seek Him in silence, it may not sound like
anything to you. However, to God your stillness before Him is a beautiful piece
of music which you are performing in His presence. Be still!
Copyright © 2016. Ed Wrather. The
Burning Bush website has been online since January 31, 1998. On June 8, 1998
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